NEW YORK, NY – STV and Artheon joined Amtrak as Line 2 of the East River Tunnel reopened to rail traffic following a comprehensive rehabilitation, marking the first completed tunnel tube under the East River Tunnel Rehabilitation Program. The project restores a critical connection between Manhattan and Queens for Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ TRANSIT trains and advances a major effort to modernize aging Northeast Corridor infrastructure.
STV, in joint venture with Artheon (formerly Naik Consulting Group), is providing construction management (CM) services for the rehabilitation program. The team oversees civil, structural, systems and track work as each tunnel is reconstructed while service continues through the remaining East River tunnels. For this project, Amtrak utilized a Railroad Isolated Construction Zone (RICZ) approach, creating a dedicated construction environment that improves access, enhances safety and supports efficient delivery.
“This phase demonstrates that major rail infrastructure can be renewed without major impacts to the transportation networks that communities depend on,” said Liviu Chivu, vice president and senior program manager at STV. “The approach to physically separate the entire project footprint from active infrastructure strengthened safety, significantly improved construction access and created a practical model for modernizing aging infrastructure while maintaining service.”
Originally opened in 1910, the East River tunnels sustained significant damage during Superstorm Sandy and require comprehensive rehabilitation to restore long-term reliability and resiliency. Work completed on Line 2 included the demolition of all components of the existing concrete tunnel liner, reconstruction of new benchwalls throughout the tunnel, upgrades to third rail and overhead catenary power systems, communications and fire-life safety improvements and the replacement of the ballasted track with a direct fixation rail system and drainage system.
STV supports complex rail and transit programs nationwide, helping public agencies modernize critical infrastructure while maintaining operations for the communities that depend on those services. The firm provides planning, design, program management and construction management (PM/CM) services across the project lifecycle. STV has played key roles in major Northeast Corridor investments, including the Portal North Bridge replacement, Sawtooth Bridges Replacement and Gateway Program Hudson River Tunnel.
Across New York, STV delivers infrastructure solutions that support regional mobility and long‑term economic development. Recent work includes Second Avenue Subway Phase II, Grand Central-42nd Street Station Pedestrian Tunnel, Long Island Rail Road Elmont-UBS Arena Station and Delta Air Lines Terminal C at LaGuardia Airport.
