Video: A ride inside Hudson river's Amtrak aging tunnels

What most commuters of Amtrak trains crossing the Hudson River do not have the opportunity to see, was witnessed by U.S. Senator Cory Booker and Amtrak officials. View of the damaged from hurricane Sandy 105-year old rail tunnels was recorded on video, showing the spalling and corrosion on the concrete bench walls. It is estimated that the tunnels have about 20 years of life, before they are shut down for repair works. Replacement of the tunnels is also examined by officials, with total cost being estimated at $20 billion.

The video taken from the glass ended rail car carrying U.S. Senator and Amtrak officials clearly shows the corrosive damage caused by flood waters from hurricane Sandy. Amtrak chief of Northeast Planning and Performance, Drew Galloway, indicated section of the damaged concrete bench walls of the tunnels along both sides of the rails that were in need of repair. Namely, square concrete edges were scoured, others were cracked, while in some of them, wires and other cabling were protruding from black holes. What was also stated is that the tunnels actually lay on the river bottom, making them vulnerable to tidal movements. Following the tour, U.S. Senator Cory Booker committed to use the information to point out the urgency of a tunnel replacement project to other federal lawmakers.

Existing tunnels have about 20 years of life, and construction of new ones, is at least 10 years away. Reportedly, Amtrak officials are placing the construction of new tunnels, what is also known as Gateway Project,  on a fast track mode, mainly due to the fact that special environmental permits are required to move forward. Amtrak officials are currently performing a full environmental impact and preliminary design work and hope to have environmental permits and final designs approved by 2019 - 2020. Construction could take up to five years according to Drew Galloway. 

Watch the video under Media below!