Bergen Tunnels

Bergen Tunnels

Company type	Infrastructure
Industry	Railroad transportation
Predecessor	Morris and Essex Railroad
Founded	1877
Headquarters	Jersey City , United States
Area served	Jersey City, New Jersey
Products	Railroad tunnels
Parent	Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (original), New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (current)

The Bergen Tunnels consist of two adjacent railroad tunnels and open cuts located beneath Bergen Hill in Jersey City, New Jersey. Originally constructed by the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W), these tunnels are presently utilized by New Jersey Transit Rail Operations (NJT) trains operating to and from Hoboken Terminal.

Construction

Prior to the existence of the Bergen Tunnels, the DL&W's forerunner, the Morris and Essex Railroad, relied on the Long Dock Tunnel—which was owned by the rival Erie Railroad—to traverse the Hudson Palisades. To ease traffic congestion and eliminate dependence on a competitor’s tunnel for its Morristown Line, DL&W commenced building its own dedicated tunnel.

Work on the North Bergen Tunnel started in 1873 and it became operational in 1877. The South Bergen Tunnel was constructed later, opening in 1910 shortly after the completion of the new Hoboken Terminal. Each tunnel extends roughly long, includes two rail tracks, and incorporates short sections of open cuts along with ventilation shafts designed to support passenger rail service.

Rehabilitation

In 2001, New Jersey Transit awarded a contract to JV Merco-Obayashi for the refurbishment of the North Bergen Tunnel, which was partially lined with brick. The project involved stabilizing two open cut areas and filling in five ventilation shafts. Brick lining was removed to enlarge the tunnel using drill-and-blast techniques, followed by application of a new lining made of shotcrete. A waterproof membrane with drainage features was installed prior to pouring a concrete lining. Additionally, updated electrical, signaling, ventilation systems, emergency exits, and tracks mounted on a newly constructed concrete floor were incorporated.

Although the South Bergen Tunnel experiences water infiltration and icicle formation during winter months, plans for its rehabilitation have yet to receive funding.

Historic status

Both tunnels are part of New Jersey’s state historic preservation office designated historic district known as the Old Main Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Historic District. They were surveyed and documented in 2001 for inclusion in the Historic American Engineering Record.

Survey No.	Name (as assigned by HAER)	Built	Documented	Carries	Crosses	Location	County	Coordinates
Template:HAER	D,L&W, North Bergen Tunnel	1877	2001	NJ Transit Hoboken Division tracks	Bergen Hill	Jersey City	Hudson
Template:HAER	D,L&W, South Bergen Tunnel	1911	2001	NJ Transit Hoboken Division tracks	Bergen Hill	Jersey City	Hudson

See also

• List of bridges, tunnels, and cuts in Hudson County, New Jersey
• Timeline of Jersey City, New Jersey-area railroads

External links

• Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, North Bergen Tunnel (constructed 1877)
• Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, South Bergen Tunnel (constructed 1911)