GDC issues RFQs for Hudson Tunnel Project

The two packages are EA1, the Hudson River Ground Stabilisation (HRGS) project; and 1A, the Palisades Tunnel project. 

For the HRGS project, the RFQ invites Statements of Qualifications from organisations interested in designing and constructing the HRGS using a design-build delivery model. The deadline for responses is July 12, 2023. The project is expected to commence in early 2024, ahead of the full tunnel construction.

Image Credit: Amtrak.

For the Palisades Tunnel project, the RFQ invites Statements of Qualifications from parties interested in constructing the Palisades Tunnel through a design-bid-build delivery model. The deadline for responses is September 13, 2023.

The Palisades Tunnel is the first project in the full construction of the new Hudson Tunnel and is anticipated to begin in the second half of 2024. 

After evaluating the Statements of Qualifications, GDC plans to choose a shortlist and issue Requests for Proposals.

The RFQs are the first procurement documents issued by the GDC.

The HRGS will fortify and stabilise the riverbed on the New York side of the Hudson River over a 366m section leading to the Manhattan Bulkhead. The work will improve conditions in which to bore the new tunnel through the eastern portion of the Hudson River section of the project. The work will also comply with environmental regulations and be conducted in specified time periods to protect the river, fish and wildlife.

The Palisades Tunnel will be the first contract package in the project to use TBMs. The TBMs will start east of Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen and continue at depths of 12-79m below the Palisades. The boring will extend approximately 1.6km to the Hoboken Ventilation Shaft west of the Hudson River.

“GDC is continuing to advance the Hudson Tunnel Project from planning to doing,” said GDC CEO Kris Kolluri. “With the strong support and work of Governors Hochul and Murphy, Majority Leader Schumer, the Biden Administration, our congressional delegations and our partners, the project has the unified leadership it needs to keep marching toward full construction. [The] launch of the procurement process for these two vital components of the tunnel are another big sign that we’re going to seize this moment and bring 21st century rail to the busiest link in the Northeast Corridor.”

In recent months the GDC has made progress on other elements of the Hudson Tunnel Project. Early work is expected to begin later this year on both the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and Utility Relocation project in New Jersey and the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing – Section 3 in New York.

Last month the GDC shortlisted potential project delivery partners and the US Department of Transportation’s Build America Bureau is advancing the application to obtain Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing loans to support the project. In addition, the Hudson Tunnel Project is continuing to move through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants programme toward a Full Funding Grant Agreement next year. 

The US$16bn project involves building the new 3.9km two-tube Gateway Tunnel under the Hudson River, between Newark, New Jersey, and New York City’s Penn Station, and refurbishing Amtrak’s existing 112-year-old North River rail tunnel, which was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is the most heavily-used passenger rail line in the US.