Manhattan Subterranean Construction Status - August 2025
Manhattan Tunnel Project Progresses Ahead of Schedule
The Manhattan Tunnel Project, a critical component of the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel Program, is making significant strides and is currently ahead of schedule. Valued at $1.18 billion, the project is set to deliver the New York portal for a new rail crossing under the Hudson River.
The twin tunnels, each with a diameter of 30 feet, span approximately 700 feet. As of August 2025, Tunnel Boring Machine 1 is 85% complete, and Tunnel Boring Machine 2 is 73% complete, both scheduled for completion by November 2025. The TBMs for the Hudson River tunneling are expected to be delivered and installed in New Jersey in 2025-2026.
The joint venture responsible for the Manhattan Tunnel Project is named Connect Plus Partners, a collaboration between Halmar International and FCC Construction. Heavy civil construction is set to start in 2026, with full-scale boring operations beginning in 2027. The project contract was awarded to a joint venture led by Frontier-Kemper-Tutor-Perini in February 2025.
The route of the Manhattan Tunnel Project runs from the Hudson River Bulkhead to the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing east of 12th Avenue. The project serves as a receiving location for Tunnel Boring Machines from New Jersey, integrating with Hudson Yards infrastructure for the future two-track rail tunnel.
Active work on the West Side of Manhattan began by spring 2025, including debris clearing, utility relocation, excavation, and pre-casing activities. The Gateway Program, which includes the Hudson Tunnel Project, is part of a growing wave of rail infrastructure modernization efforts across the United States.
The Manhattan Tunnel Project is expected to achieve substantial completion in 2029, with the opening of the new Hudson River Tunnel in 2035 and the rehabilitation of the existing North River Tunnel completed by 2038. This ambitious project is estimated to create about 15,800 jobs during the construction period, as estimated by EY.
The Manhattan Tunnel Project is considered one of the most challenging segments in the Hudson Tunnel Program. Despite the challenges, the project's progress bodes well for the future of rail transportation in the northeastern United States. The TBMs are expected to begin eastbound Hudson River tunneling in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the project's development.
