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.”
