Amtrak and MTA Representatives, Along with Columbia and Cornell Engineers, to Visit East River Tunnels on Friday
“Today, MTA
officials met with Amtrak leadership to provide a briefing on the L Train
project. On January 3rd, the MTA accepted recommendations of an expert
review panel that the L Train tunnel could be repaired while averting a
closure. The expert team, comprised of the deans and faculty from Columbia
University and Cornell University engineering schools, conducted weeks of
extensive review and analysis, while working directly with MTA officials,
design engineers and contractors. After the MTA’s leadership determined that
the new scope of work could be achieved with the proper due diligence to ensure
the safety and longevity of the project, Amtrak expressed interest in
undertaking a preliminary review of these methods to see if they could be
applied to any portions of its own projects including the East River tunnels.
Today’s briefing was informative and productive for both parties, and on Friday,
representatives from the MTA, Amtrak, and the expert review team will visit the
East River tunnel to continue this important discussion. Meeting participants
included: MTA President Patrick Foye and Managing Director Veronique Hakim;
Amtrak Senior Executive Vice President Stephen Gardner; Chief Engineer and Vice
President Gerhard Williams, and Amtrak staff; and WSP Senior Vice President
Jerry Jannetti.”