Mayor Eric Adams is joining the MTA’s call for Amtrak to change its plan to repair two East River tunnels over fears it could create major headaches for commuters.
In a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Adams requested that Duffy force Amtrak to perform repairs on the Hurricane Sandy-damaged tunnels on nights and weekends. Amtrak plans to shut down the two East River tunnels, one at a time, over three years.
Adams and the MTA warn there could be massive delays for commuters in and out of Penn Station because shutting down one of the tubes entirely leaves little margin for error.
“I urge your immediate intervention to prevent a misstep that will have lasting consequences,” Adams wrote in the letter on Monday. “Amtrak has refused to listen to reason.”
The letter represents a rare instance of Adams splitting from the Trump administration, which controls Amtrak. The mayor has typically refrained from criticizing the president, whose Department of Justice moved to drop corruption charges against Adams.
The MTA and Amtrak have in recent weeks been locked in an escalating war of words over repairs to the East River tunnels, which connect Penn Station to Queens. Last month, the federal government kicked the MTA off of the planned reconstruction of Penn Station and gave control of the project to Amtrak.
The East River tunnel shutdown is now expected to begin May 23, Amtrak said Tuesday.
The crossings are primarily used by Long Island Rail Road trains but also service Amtrak trains and NJ Transit trains that park in Sunnyside Yard during off-peak hours.
Amtrak President Roger Harris wrote last week to Gov. Kathy Hochul that the MTA and state had been involved in planning the project for years and that they are ready to go to work.
“The project’s engineering, safety and operational requirements have been transparent from the start and fully vetted by your agencies, MTA and New York State Department of Transportation,” Harris wrote.
He accused the MTA and Hochul of spreading misinformation.
“This recent barrage of media coverage, which includes misinformation and misleading facts, some of which are attributed to comments by NY state and the MTA, are not constructive and only erodes confidence in public agencies to deliver critical infrastructure projects,” he wrote.
The MTA board last week passed a resolution condemning Amtrak’s plan.
“The Long Island Rail Road has expressed deep misgivings in recent discussion with Amtrak about its readiness to successfully execute the full shutdown plan without impacting not only its own Empire Line service to Albany but also Long Island Rail Road service,” the resolution stated.
Adams’ intervention comes as he and Duffy have bonded over their concerns about subway safety. Duffy has met with Adams at least twice and rode the subway with him. The MTA is suing the federal transportation department over its efforts to shut down congestion pricing.
The MTA and Amtrak have a long history of squabbles over shared tracks and repairs.
The MTA didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
This story has been updated with new information.
