The contract approved includes seven Alternative Technical Concepts (ATCs) proposed by the contractor during the procurement process. ATCs are design or construction approaches that incorporate innovative solutions from the private sector that differ from the project’s preliminary design while maintaining all technical, safety and performance requirements. GDC conducted a thorough technical review of the contractor’s proposed ATCs and concluded these changes will help reduce costs, minimize environmental impacts and improve long-term maintenance of the infrastructure the project will build.

The Board also approved the Market Case Estimate (MCE) for the project and authorized GDC’s CEO to issue a Notice to Proceed (NTP) to Skanska Creamer Sanzari NJSA JV.

Seven of the 10 construction packages that make up the Hudson Tunnel Project are now in progress or completed. Construction is creating tens of thousands of jobs and driving billions of dollars in economic activity in the region and across the country. “The award of the New Jersey Surface Alignment contract marks another major step forward for the most important infrastructure project in America,” said New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill. “One of the Hudson Tunnel Project construction packages is complete and six are now underway, creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.”

“The Hudson Tunnel Project is moving forward quickly, and we can’t afford to lose momentum,” transportation and construction leaders said in a joint statement. “That’s why we’re working overtime to award new contracts and keep construction moving efficiently and safely. Last month we awarded the contract for the section of the new tunnel under the Hudson River. Today we awarded the contract to build the infrastructure that will enable us to integrate the new tunnel into the Northeast Corridor.” 

GDC CEO Tom Prendergast added, “The NJ Surface Alignment Project is a uniquely complex project because of the wide variety of work involved and location. It will require extensive coordination and careful planning. Skanska Creamer Sanzari NJSA JV’s team has a proven track record and the expertise needed to get the job done, and we look forward to working with them to deliver this critical section of the Hudson Tunnel Project.”

The New Jersey Surface Alignment Project

The New Jersey Surface Alignment Project will build 7,540 feet of new infrastructure from County Road in Secaucus to the tunnel portal at Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen. This infrastructure will enable installation of the future tracks that will connect the new tunnel under the Hudson River to the existing Northeast Corridor tracks in New Jersey. Tracks, signals, and other railroad systems will be installed as part of a future construction package.

The project involves a wide variety of heavy civil design and construction work, including:

• Building 4,170 feet of retaining walls and installing lightweight concrete fill to create the embankment next to the existing Northeast Corridor tracks where the new train tracks will run.
• Constructing 3,150 feet of viaduct that will carry the new tracks over wetlands in the Meadowlands. 
• Building bridges over Secaucus Road and existing Conrail and New York, Susquehanna and Western (NYSW) freight rail tracks.
• Additional infrastructure, including access roads, drainage structures, equipment platforms and stairs.
• Relocating utilities, protecting water and sewer lines and moving an auxiliary signal power substation.

The project’s location adds to the complexity. The NJ Surface Alignment contractor will be working adjacent to active train tracks, which requires extra safety precautions and careful coordination with railroad operators, Gateway officials noted. This project also involves construction in sections of the New Jersey Meadowlands. Work in these areas must be conducted in compliance with environmental regulations to protect the regional ecosystem of wetlands.