I was wondering if the workers returned, would they have what they needed to continue with the assembly is all. We can issue a PO but did we pay the invoice? As you say, hopefully the machines (and transit fees) are already paid for.
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I’m hoping they had time to protect the parts from the elements.
If you look at the website, they’ve covered almost all the heavy equipment. It looks like they knew this work stoppage was coming for some time and spent a few days shutting down the worksites. That of course also means they need to waste a few days setting it all up again. Spending maybe around a weeks worth of budget on nothing productive, wasting money because of the federal government’s shenanigans.
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Too bad we can’t dock his pay (and take it any cost overruns out of his wages).
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Great news. It’s safe to say that the “on hold” should be removed from the thread title.
Here’s the official press release, which states contractors have been notified, and work will resume.
Some local news coverage: https://www.news10.com/capitol/gateway-tunnel-funding-resumes/
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Well there we go! Glad to see it. Any guesses on how long it’ll take to be back at full speed? I’m thinking most if not all contractors will start next week and will be back to the same construction rate that Friday.
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Additionally, I think I’m a bit unclear about the effect of the lawsuit from here. The $205+ million was money they hadn’t been dispersing since September 30th. So they got the ‘owed’ money back and can pay back contractors and the lines of credit they were using.
What about future federal payments? From my understanding, federal payments will continue while the lawsuit plays out. So what’s the point of the lawsuit? Like are they hoping to win or find a way to stop the payments through this? It’s pretty cut and dry contract breach.
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Video on the Gateway Tunnel goes into detail about the project and it’s different parts
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I have been noticing some minor site activity at the projects in NYC - HYCC3 and the Manhattan Tunnel shaft. I can assume some preparations are being made to resume work sometime next week.
No activity at the Hudson River ground stabilization site, and one of the barges was removed. The NJ sites still have activity, with Tonnelle Avenue still progressing, and the slurry wall on the NJ ventilation shaft is still being built.
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With the Hudson Tunnel work resuming soon, the Gateway Program has published a video showing what is going to happen and why the work is needed.
Included is a render of what the NJ ventilation shaft will look like.
As for the NYC ventilation shaft, it will feature a lighting installation as well.
And here’s a status update of the Portal Bridge. It’s been confirmed the second track will be connected in October.
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Press release today: https://www.gatewayprogram.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2026.2.24_Gateway-Development-Commission-Construction-Notice-Resumption.pdf
Just from looking at the cameras from today:
- tonnelle ave: had its snow cleared, not much else visible
- hudson yards sec 3: lots of active crane work
- ground stabilization: crane movements
- hudson county access shaft: some car movements, no heavy machinery active
- manhattan tunnel shaft: major crane activation and partial snow clearing
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The first set of tracks has been connected to the main line.
Per a report here, there is a schedule of events that seems to be progressing in a timely fashion.
Work started on Feb. 13 with demolition of existing overhead catenary wire support structures that were in the way of the track tie-in points where the existing tracks will merge with tracks for the new bridge, he said.
Feb 19 - Thursday night, crews were scheduled to complete track work on the east and west ends of the approaches to the new bridge from the Northeast Corridor line.
Feb 22 - Next week, the equally important electric traction work begins on train power wire over the track transfer points from the old to the new bridge. (We are here)
March 1 - The third week is when the bridge’s signals, communication and track circuits are tested.
March 8 - during the final week, test trains will be run between New York and Newark over the new bridge.
I also found these photos while gathering information for an update. Allegedly, they got the track hooked up a day ahead of schedule.
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Interesting how the ties dip for the undercarriage. Is this something new?
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No. Concrete ties were always like that.
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Is that structural or for safety reasons (i.e. a person can squeeze between the bed and the undercarriage)?
This is quite an obscure subject, and information is relatively limited, and no, it is not so someone can squeeze under a train and survive.
From what I could find, they have a shallower center because the ties are pre-stressed, which reduces tensile stresses in the concrete. Basically, it makes it stronger and reduces stress on the concrete from the weight of trains.
Here’s a (relatively old) report on concrete tie construction and early installations.
It should be recognized that under critical loading conditions, tensile stresses occur on the bottom surface at rail seats and on the top surface at the tie center. Therefore, a shallower section at the tie center than that at rail seats permits locating the prestressing force towards the tensile surface at both locations and thus reduces tensile stresses in the concrete.
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engineering is so fascinating
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