Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
tunnelboring.jpg

MTA Deputy Director of Media Relations, Jeremy Soffin, sends this along:

As you know, the first tunnel boring machine for the East Side Access project has been chewing its way under Manhattan for almost a month, and we just wanted to provide a short update. The machine has now tunneled approximately 1,350 feet. While the machine generally averages 50 feet per day, we had a record performance yesterday of 114 feet. The machine is now operating underneath 60th Street near Lexington Avenue. In total, the machine will bore approximately 7,200 feet total to 38th street. A second TBM has been assembled in the "launch box" at 63rd Street and 2nd Avenue and will begin tunneling a parallel tube shortly.

East Side Access will bring LIRR trains into Grand Central Terminal for the first time.

You can find more information on the construction here.

Photo: robert the bear/Flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Year, Same Carnage: One Killed, Another Badly Hurt, By Hit-and-Run Driver in Queens

The driver of an SUV struck two men in Queens early on New Year's Day and kept on driving even as one of the men died and the other was gravely injured.

January 1, 2026

New Year’s Headlines: New Mayor Edition

Happy New Mayor! Plus other news.

January 1, 2026

Mamdani Picks Mike Flynn for DOT Commissioner — And Put Him Center Stage at his Swearing In

Flynn worked at DOT from 2005 to 2014 on pedestrian and bike projects and capital planning.

December 31, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: 2nd-Most Important Job Edition

When will Mayor-Elect Mamdani name a DOT commissioner? Plus other news.

December 31, 2025

The Year in Mamdani: The Incoming Mayor Was on the Streetsblog Beat in 2025

These are the transportation policy highlights of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's improbable 2025 run for City Hall.

December 31, 2025

Danger Ahead: City To Let Car Drivers Reoccupy Forest Park Next Week

Freedom Drive will no longer be free from drivers.

December 30, 2025
See all posts