The Gateway Development Commission (GDC) has approved an $88 million change order that will expand critical preparation work for the Hudson Tunnel Project, one of the largest transportation infrastructure initiatives currently underway in the United States.
The additional funding will allow contractor Weeks Marine to remove approximately 500 submerged wooden piles from the Hudson River before tunnel boring operations begin in 2028.
Project officials say the work is designed to reduce the risk of tunnel boring machines encountering hidden obstacles beneath the riverbed during excavation.
Preparing the Riverbed for Tunnel Construction
According to GDC officials, the newly approved scope expands the ongoing Hudson River Ground Stabilization Project, which began in 2024.
The work will focus on clearing remnants of former Pier 68 structures that remain buried beneath the riverbed. Construction crews will first remove wooden piles and other obstructions along the planned tunnel route. Afterward, specialized ground improvement techniques will be used to stabilize the surrounding soil.
The stabilization process involves mixing lightweight concrete into sections of the riverbed to strengthen the ground and create suitable conditions for tunnel boring equipment.
Officials expect work associated with the change order to begin later this year and be completed before tunnel boring operations are scheduled to start under the Hudson River in 2028.
Reducing Risk Before Excavation Begins
GDC leaders described the change order as a proactive step to avoid construction delays and unforeseen challenges once excavation begins.
Tom Prendergast, CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, said large infrastructure projects require constant risk assessment and early action to prevent costly disruptions later in the construction process.
The additional work is intended to address known conditions beneath the river before tunnel boring machines arrive on site, reducing the likelihood of encountering obstructions that could slow progress or require expensive modifications during excavation.
Lessons Learned From Ongoing River Work
The original ground stabilization project focused on preparing a 1,200-foot-long section of the Hudson River for future tunneling. Since work began, crews have gathered valuable information about river conditions, pile removal techniques, and soil stabilization requirements.
Project officials noted that strong river currents, pile extraction challenges, and the need to strengthen soils around removed structures all influenced the decision to expand the existing contract rather than procure a separate project.
The approved change order extends the current work zone by approximately 265 feet toward Manhattan and includes additional activities to address remaining pile foundations left behind during the demolition of Pier 68.
Weeks Marine to Lead Expanded Scope
Weeks Marine, a New Jersey-based marine contractor and subsidiary of Kiewit, will perform the additional work.
Because the company is already mobilized on the Hudson River and actively working on the stabilization project, officials determined that expanding the existing contract offered the most efficient and cost-effective solution.
The contractor has already completed preliminary pile removal operations during 2025, helping engineers better understand the conditions that must be addressed before full-scale tunnel boring begins.
A Key Step for the Hudson Tunnel Project
The Hudson Tunnel Project is a central component of the broader Gateway Program, which aims to improve rail capacity and reliability between New York and New Jersey.
Once completed, the new tunnel will provide a critical transportation link beneath the Hudson River and help modernize one of the nation’s busiest passenger rail corridors.
The newly approved riverbed work is expected to play an important role in ensuring tunnel excavation can proceed safely and efficiently when boring operations begin in 2028.
