Tunnel Inspection

Under the NTIS program, SJH participated in the biennial inspection of the Queens-Manhattan Tunnel (QMT) and Hugh L. Carey Tunnels (HCLT) to establish the physical and functional condition of the tunnels, prepare a tunnel inventory database, and report conditions of each tunnel to TBTA, NYSDOT and FHWA. Each tunnel is comprised of two tubes that carry two lanes of traffic under the East River to and from Queens or Brooklyn to Manhattan. The QMT is 6,414 feet long and the HCLT is 9,117 feet long. Both are cast iron and steel lined tunnels with concrete liners.

Inspection activities included structural, mechanical, electrical, civil and life safety elements. SJH performed the structural inspection of the floor, walls, the ceiling plenum, and the area under the floor slabs. Based on these inspections, repair details were developed and included as part of the inspection report. Our team leaders and inspectors completed the FHWA Tunnel Inspection and Confined Space Entry training and OSHA certifications to be eligible to access the tunnels. Our team mobilized and obtained all the required approvals for the inspections. They performed thorough field inspections of tunnel tubes, exhaust air ducts, fresh air ducts, and cross passageways. The team collected and recorded tunnel element evaluation data to support the tunnel inventory database. Most of the inspections were performed during nighttime, under closure of the different tubes.