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The project, supported by state, federal and local funds, will bring economic as well as environmental benefi ts. NJ Transit estimates the project will create 6,000 jobs during construction and 44,000 jobs after work is completed.

The project is expected to remove 22,000 cars from area roadways once completed, which will prevent 66,000 tons of green- house gases from being released into the air each year.

clearance needed over the Hudson River. And congested streets and fully developed lots leave little room for the extra roads and on- and off-ramps a bridge would require. “Projects like ARC are examples of smart planning that strengthen our economy at the same time as being environmentally friendly,” Silber said.

Reusing excavated materials

The ARC team expects to remove 1.67 million cubic yards of rock and 322,000 cubic yards of soft soil and clay from the tunnel corridor. The 8.7 miles of tunnel boring will range in depth from 100 to 250 feet, depending on location.

Choosing rail

Area commuters make more than 46 million trips under the Hudson each year. More than a decade ago, NJ Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began studying options to address increased ridership and future capacity needs. The tunnel was found to be the most effi cient and cost-effective solution. Silber said a bridge solution was more diffi cult because of the height

32 | Green & Clean

The hard rock excavated from the Palisades Tunnel in New Jersey and the Manhattan Tunnel in New York will be used to convert an existing contaminated brownfi eld area into a midday rail-storage facility, which will store extra trains during off-peak times. The railyard site will be fi lled with excavated materials, cleaned and rehabilitated.

The earth beneath the Hudson River is primarily clean clay, and will

be used to seal a nearby landfi ll.

Preserving wetlands and trees

Because of the depth of the tunnel, there will be no environmental impact on the Hudson River. The river water is about 50 to 60 feet deep, and the tunnel will be at least 50 feet below the bottom of the water. In isolated areas near the Meadowlands in New Jersey, the project team will be fi lling in some wetland areas to make way for new tracks. The team will recreate mitigation sites to offset any wetlands impact. The process requires a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and the project team is complying with all requirements.

On the New Jersey side, the ARC project includes removing a few hundred trees to make way for new construction. The project team is working with four communities within the project area to plant replacement trees in civic areas and along streets to meet DEP reforestation requirements. g&c

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