MTA launches ESA tunnel boring machines
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefNew York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Friday dedicated and formally launched two tunnel boring machines in Sunnyside, Queens, to tunnel underneath Sunnyside Yards to connect the Long Island Rail Road main line with new tunnels leading to Grand Central Terminal, known as East Side Access.
The machines have been named by local sixth graders from I.S. 204, who were in attendance at the launch event.
East Side Access, estimated to cost $8.1 billion, currently is scheduled to begin revenue service in 2016, though the startup date has slipped in recent years. MTA estimates 180,000 LIRR riders eventually will use the new route for access to Midtown Manhattan, instead of continuing their current travel option to New York’s Penn Station.
