Listen to this article

The long-anticipated Hudson Tunnel Project marked another major step forward May 31, as the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) announced it has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for two major components of the work.

The projects include:

• Package EA1, the Hudson River Ground Stabilization (HRGS) project: Which will fortify and stabilize the river bottom on the New York side of the Hudson River over a 1,200-foot portion leading to the Manhattan Bulkhead. The work will create an improved condition to bore the new tunnel through the eastern portion of the Hudson River section of the project. The RFQ invites Statements of Qualifications from entities interested in designing and constructing the HRGS via a Design-Build delivery model. Responses are due by July 12, with the project expected to begin early next year, ahead of the full tunnel construction.

• Package 1A, the Palisades Tunnel project: This will be the first contract package in the project to utilize Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs), which will start east of Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen and continue at depths between 40 feet to 260 feet below the surface of the Palisades. The boring will extend approximately 1 mile to the Hoboken Ventilation Shaft just west of the Hudson River. The tunnel’s concrete shell will be constructed behind the TBMs. The RFQ invites Statements of Qualifications from entities interested in constructing the Palisades Tunnel via a Design-Bid-Build delivery model. Responses are due Sept. 13. This is the first project in the full construction of the new Hudson Tunnel and is set to begin in the second half of 2024.

The RFQs mark the first procurement documents issued by GDC, which plans to short list entities and issue Requests for Proposals after evaluating the Statements of Qualifications.

It also demonstrates continued momentum for the long-stalled project, progress NJBIZ has reported on in recent weeks and months. 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.

“GDC is continuing to advance the Hudson Tunnel project from planning to doing,” said Kris Kolluri, GDC CEO. “With the strong support and work of Govs. [Kathy] Hochul and [Phil] Murphy, Majority Leader [Charles] Schumer, the Biden Administration, our congressional delegations, and our partners, the project has the unified leadership it needs to keep marching toward full construction. Today’s 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.”