PANYNJ OKs $400 million in PATH tunnel repairs

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's (PANYNJ) board has approved a $400 million overhaul of two Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rail tunnels damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

PANYNJ will repair Tunnels E and F, which run under the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey. The projects will repair and upgrade critical rail, electrical and signal systems damaged by the storm, according to a PANYNJ press release.

In particular, crews will replace PATH track; third rail; and electrical, signal and communications infrastructure along portions of the tunnels.

The project is expected to last eight years, but PANYNJ officials are reviewing ways to shorten the schedule. Work will be completed on 35 weekends per year.

"Hurricane Sandy took a major toll on PATH and on other critical transportation facilities, and this project will aim to not only fix the damage, but mitigate future potential problems from severe flooding," said PANYNJ Vice Chairman Steven Cohen.

The repair work is slated to begin in third-quarter 2017 and wrap up in 2026. PATH will run trains on a single-track during weekends to allow for continuous train service and minimize disruption, PANYNJ officials said.

Presently, the authority is installing a positive train control system on PATH's 33rd Street Line. That work is expected to continue through December.