Tunnel Boring Operations Began Under Hudson River

A massive machine has started excavating the northern tube for a new rail tunnel in New Jersey.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Construction

Tunnel Boring Operations Began Under Hudson River

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The Gateway Development Commission has officially commenced tunnel boring operations for the northern tube of the new Hudson Tunnel. This project marks the first time in nearly 120 years that a new rail tunnel is being excavated under the Hudson River.

Why it matters

This critical infrastructure project aims to expand rail capacity between New Jersey and New York, addressing long-standing transit limitations. It represents a significant step forward in modernizing the regional transportation network.

Each of the two tunnel boring machines weighs more than 1,680 tons and measures 500 feet in length. The current machine is set to advance through solid rock at a rate of approximately 30 feet per day.

The players

Gateway Development Commission

This intergovernmental agency is responsible for overseeing the construction and management of the Hudson Tunnel Project.

The details

The current operation involves boring through 5,100 feet of solid rock to connect North Bergen to an access shaft located between Weehawken and Hoboken. These machines will be replaced before the project continues under the Hudson River, where two additional machines will take over the work.

September 2026: The boring project start was marked with a ceremony.
October 8, 2026: The actual commencement of tunnel boring operations began.

Market Landscape

The current excavation follows a pattern set by the original Hudson River train tunnels, marking the first significant expansion in over a century. This project is a major component of a broader effort to modernize aging infrastructure in the densely populated Northeast corridor.

Residents in New Jersey should expect ongoing construction activity as the machine works toward the access shaft between Weehawken and Hoboken. The project is designed to improve long-term rail reliability for daily commuters traveling between New Jersey and New York.

The takeaway

This milestone represents a critical shift toward upgrading the region's century-old rail infrastructure. Residents can track the progress of the boring machines as they advance through the rock beneath North Jersey.