Downtown Hudson Tubes Explained

Downtown Hudson Tubes
Location:Hudson River
Coordinates:40.7151°N -74.0244°W
System:PATH
Start:World Trade Center
End:Exchange Place
Traffic:Railroad
Character:Rapid transit
Engineer:Charles M. Jacobs
Construction:1905–1909
Length:57000NaN0
Height:15.25feet
Depth Below Water:971NaN1
below sea level

The Downtown Hudson Tubes (formerly the Cortlandt Street Tunnel[1]) are a pair of tunnels that carry PATH trains under the Hudson River in the United States, between New York City to the east and Jersey City, New Jersey, to the west. The tunnels run between the World Trade Center station on the New York side and the Exchange Place station on the New Jersey side.

PATH operates two services through the Downtown Tubes, Newark–World Trade Center and Hoboken–World Trade Center. The former normally operates 24/7, while the latter only operates on weekdays.[2]

Description

The Downtown Hudson Tubes use a roughly east-southeast to west-northwest path under the Hudson River, connecting Manhattan in the east with Jersey City in the west. Each track is located in its own tube,[3] which enables better ventilation by the so-called piston effect. When a train passes through the tunnel it pushes out the air in front of it toward the closest ventilation shaft, and also pulls air into the rail tunnel from the closest ventilation shaft behind it.[4] [5] The diameter of both downtown tubes is 15inchesft3inchesin (ftin).[6] The underwater section of the tubes is about 5700feet in total.[3] The tubes were formed by segmental circular linings of cast-steel, bolted together at the rear of the excavating shields as the shields were driven forward. The tubes are lined with concrete below the top of the cable ducts, and are unlined above these ducts.

On the Manhattan end, the tubes were connected by a balloon loop. The loop fanned out to include five tracks served by six platforms. This layout was built during the construction of the original Hudson Terminal, and a similar layout existed in two of the successive World Trade Center PATH stations that replaced it. The current World Trade Center PATH station includes four platforms, but the general track layout, with the five-track balloon loop, is otherwise similar to that of the previous World Trade Center stations.[7] [8]

History

The tunnels were the second non-waterborne connection between Manhattan and New Jersey, after the Uptown Hudson Tubes. The idea for the downtown tunnels was devised by another company in 1903, the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Corporation (H&M). However, William Gibbs McAdoo's New York and Jersey Railroad Company, which was constructing the Uptown Tubes, was interested in the H&M tunnel.[9] Early in the planning process, there were elaborate reports that the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) was interested in operating its trains through the Downtown Hudson Tubes, so that the PRR's New York Penn Station could be used solely for non-terminating trains. However, McAdoo denied these rumors, saying, "the Pennsylvania has not one dollar's interest" in such a venture.[10] In January 1905, the Hudson Companies was incorporated for the purpose of completing the Uptown Hudson Tubes. The Hudson Companies would also build a pair of downtown tunnels between the Exchange Place station, in Jersey City, and Hudson Terminal, at the corner of Church and Cortlandt Streets in Lower Manhattan. The company already had a capital of $21 million at the time of its incorporation.[11] [12]

Work on the underwater section of the Downtown Tubes started in April 1905.[13] That June, the New York State Board of Commissioners approved of the layout for the Downtown Tubes' Manhattan end.[14] The Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Company was incorporated in December 1906 to operate a passenger railroad system between New York and New Jersey via the Uptown and Downtown Tubes.[15] [16] The Downtown Tubes, located about 1.25miles south of the uptown pair, were well under construction by that time, as 3000feet of these tubes had been constructed. Construction of the Downtown Tubes proceeded smoothly, and digging on the first of the Downtown Tubes was completed in January 1909, without anyone being killed during the process.[17] The tubes began service on July 19, 1909, with the opening of the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad's Hudson Terminal in lower Manhattan.[18] [19] [20] At first, service only ran to Exchange Place, for the connection to the PRR's Exchange Place station.[21] [20] Service was extended from Exchange Place to Hoboken Terminal on August 2, 1909; from Exchange Place to Grove Street in 1910; and finally from Grove Street to Park Place station in 1911.[20]

When the original World Trade Center was constructed in the 1960s, the Downtown Tubes remained in service as elevated tunnels until 1970, when a new PATH station was built.[22] The new PATH station opened on July 6, 1971, and the Hudson Terminal was closed at that time.[23] The downtown and uptown tubes were declared National Historic Civil Engineering Landmarks in 1978 by the American Society of Civil Engineers.[24]

The last remnant of Hudson Terminal was a cast-iron tube embedded in the original World Trade Center's foundation, located near Church Street. It was located above the level of the new PATH station, as well as that of the station's replacement after the September 11 attacks. The cast-iron tube was removed in 2008 during the construction of the new World Trade Center,[25] a small section being donated to the Shore Line Trolley Museum along with one of the PATH train cars that were trapped underground when the towers collapsed.[26]

On July 7, 2006, an alleged plot to detonate explosives in the PATH's Downtown Hudson Tubes (initially said to be a plot to bomb the Holland Tunnel) was uncovered by the FBI. The plot included the detonation of a bomb that could significantly destroy and flood the tunnels, endangering all the occupants and vehicles in the tunnel at the time of the explosion. The terror planners believed that Lower Manhattan could, as a result of the explosion, be flooded due to river water surging up the remaining tunnel after the blast. Officials say that this plan was unsound due to the strength of the tunnels. Since semi-trailer trucks are currently not allowed to pass through the Holland Tunnel, and it was infeasible to carry such a bomb on board a PATH train, it was very difficult to get sufficient explosives into the tunnel to accomplish the plan. If the tunnel were to explode and allow water from the Hudson River to flood it, Lower Manhattan would be spared since the area is 2feet–10feetft (–ft) above sea level. Of the eight planners based in six different countries, three were arrested.[27]

The Downtown Hudson Tubes were severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy. To accommodate repairs, service on the Newark–World Trade Center line between Exchange Place and World Trade Center was suspended during almost all weekends in 2019 and 2020, except for holidays.[28]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. News: BUYING BY SPECULATORS NEAR TUNNEL TERMINAL; Frequent Purchases on Dey, Fulton, and Vesey Streets -- Territory West of Broadway Commanding More Attention -- Ownership Covering a Century Ended Last Week.. February 26, 1905. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. May 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502223305/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/02/26/archives/buying-by-speculators-near-tunnel-terminal-frequent-purchases-on.html. live.
  2. Web site: PATH Timetable. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. January 2019. January 14, 2019. June 29, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210629014645/http://www.panynj.gov/path/full-schedules.cfm. dead.
  3. Fitzherbert. Anthony. June 1964. The Public Be Pleased: William Gibbs McAdoo and the Hudson Tubes. Electric Railroaders' Association. April 24, 2018. nycsubway.org. October 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141013182341/https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_Public_Be_Pleased:_William_Gibbs_McAdoo_and_the_Hudson_Tubes. live.
  4. Davies. John Vipond. 1910. The Tunnel Construction of the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Company. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. Philadelphia. American Philosophical Society. 49. 195. 164–187. 983892.
  5. July 24, 1909. The Most Notable Work of the Era.. The Real Estate Record: Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide. 84. 163–164. columbia.edu. 2158. September 30, 2020. October 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211015040027/https://rerecord.library.columbia.edu/pdf_files/ldpd_7031148_044_4.pdf. live.
  6. News: The Worlds Greatest Inter-Urban Tunnels. June 24, 1905. Evening Star. April 24, 2018. Washington D.C.. 2. Fultonhistory.com. November 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211124115747/http://fultonhistory.com/highlighter/highlight-for-xml?altUrl=http%3A%2F%2Ffultonhistory.com%2FNewspaper%252024%2FWashington%2520DC%2520Evening%2520Star%2FWashington%2520DC%2520Evening%2520Star%25201905%2FWashington%2520DC%2520Evening%2520Star%25201905%252006-24%2520%2520Page%252018.pdf. live.
  7. Book: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Permanent WTC PATH Terminal: Environmental Impact Statement. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. 2007. United States Department of Transportation
    Federal Transit Administration
    . en. May 2, 2018. August 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230813235856/https://books.google.com/books?id=RSY3AQAAMAAJ&pg=SL19-PA5. live.
  8. Web site: Blocks; At Site of New Tower, a Game of Inches. Dunlap. David W.. December 16, 2004. The New York Times. February 19, 2018. October 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211008192850/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/16/nyregion/blocks-at-site-of-new-tower-a-game-of-inches.html. live. (a diagram is available here).
  9. Web site: ANOTHER TUNNEL SCHEME; Company Formed to Drive One Under the North River. Would Extend from Cortlandt Street and Broadway to Jersey City -- Purchases of Property Made.. March 21, 1903. The New York Times. April 22, 2018. November 24, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211124140946/http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1903/03/21/101983784.html?pageNumber=5. live.
  10. News: THE THIRD HUDSON TUNNEL.; W.G. McAdoo Denies the Detailed Report That the Pennsylvania Road is Interested.. June 3, 1903. The New York Times. May 22, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. July 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180707042447/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/06/03/archives/the-third-hudson-tunnel-wg-mcadoo-denies-the-detailed-report-that.html. live.
  11. News: $21,000,000 COMPANY FOR HUDSON TUNNELS; Will Also Build Ninth Street and Sixth Avenue Subways. FOR CENTRAL PARK ROUTE? Rapid Transit Board Hints at It in Recommending McAdoo Underground Routes to Aldermen.. 1905. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. May 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210509034308/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/01/10/archives/21000000-company-for-hudson-tunnels-will-also-build-ninth-street.html. live.
  12. News: January 10, 1905. Tunnel Companies Join. 14. New-York Tribune. September 30, 2020. newspapers.com . May 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210515014347/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60289991/. live.
  13. News: BEGIN SECOND HUDSON TUBE.; Work on New York and Jersey Tunnel to be Started Thursday.. April 9, 1905. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. May 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502212724/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/04/09/archives/begin-second-hudson-tube-work-on-new-york-and-jersey-tunnel-to-be.html. live.
  14. Web site: APPROVE RIVER TUNNELS.; Commissioners Favor Cortlandt and Morton Street Plans.. June 17, 1905. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. May 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502225122/https://www.nytimes.com/1905/06/17/archives/approve-river-tunnels-commissioners-favor-cortlandt-and-morton.html. live.
  15. Book: The Commercial & Financial Chronicle ...: A Weekly Newspaper Representing the Industrial Interests of the United States. 1914. William B. Dana Company. en.
  16. News: $100,000,000 CAPITAL FOR M'ADOO TUNNELS; Railroad Commission Agrees to Issuance of Big Mortgage. McADOO EXPLAINS PROGRESS The Work Very Expensive, but Going on Rapidly -- New Bonds to Take Up Old Issues.. December 12, 1906. The New York Times. April 24, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. April 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180425035153/https://www.nytimes.com/1906/12/12/archives/100000000-capital-for-madoo-tunnels-railroad-commission-agrees-to.html. live.
  17. News: FIFTH TUBE OPEN UNDER THE HUDSON; Chief Engineer Jacobs of the McAdoo System Fires the Shot That Does It. READY FOR CARS ON JULY 1 McAdoo Terminal to Open on the Same Day -- Latest Tunnel Built Without Loss of a Life.. 1909. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. May 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502213108/https://www.nytimes.com/1909/01/28/archives/fifth-tube-open-under-the-hudson-chief-engineer-jacobs-of-the.html. live.
  18. Web site: 40,000 CELEBRATE NEW TUBES' OPENING; Downtown McAdoo Tunnels to Jersey City Begin Business with a Rush. TRIP TAKES THREE MINUTES Red Fire and Oratory Signalize the Event -- Speeches by Gov. Fort and Others -- Ovation to Mr. McAdoo.. Taft. William H.. July 20, 1909. The New York Times. May 1, 2018. April 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180425184556/https://www.nytimes.com/1909/07/20/archives/40000-celebrate-new-tubes-opening-downtown-mcadoo-tunnels-to-jersey.html. live.
  19. Web site: PATH:History . Port Authority of New York and New Jersey . January 19, 2010 . November 30, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091130024626/http://www.panynj.gov/path/history.html . live .
  20. August 1959. Hudson and Manhattan Railroad. Electric Railroads. Electric Railroaders Association. February 17, 2021. 27. 5–6. July 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200719013622/https://hoboken.pastperfectonline.com/archive/45CDC2F1-59A0-4758-8193-365369441079. live.
  21. News: UNDER THE HUDSON BY FOUR TUBES NOW; Second Pair of McAdoo Tunnels to Jersey City Will Open To-morrow. BIG CELEBRATION PLANNED Speeches, Decorations, and Fireworks -- New Tubes Under Cortlandt Street Ferry -- Shore Section Open Aug. 2.. July 18, 1909. The New York Times. May 2, 2018. en-US. 0362-4331. May 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503045755/https://www.nytimes.com/1909/07/18/archives/under-the-hudson-by-four-tubes-now-second-pair-of-mcadoo-tunnels-to.html. live.
  22. Web site: Carroll . Maurice . A Section of the Hudson Tubes Is Turned Into Elevated Tunnel . The New York Times . December 30, 1968 . May 2, 2018 . April 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180409111909/https://www.nytimes.com/1968/12/30/archives/a-section-of-the-hudson-tubes-is-turned-into-elevated-tunnel.html . live .
  23. News: New PATH Station Opens Downtown. Burks, Edward C.. July 7, 1971. New York Times. 74. May 30, 2010.
  24. Web site: History and Heritage of Civil Engineering: Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Tunnel . . March 13, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091203025536/http://live.asce.org/hh/index.mxml?lid=166 . December 3, 2009 .
  25. News: . Another Ghost From Ground Zero's Past Fades Away . Dunlap, David W. . October 26, 2008 . February 24, 2017 . November 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171113060402/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/27/nyregion/27tunnel.html?_r=2&em&oref=slogin . live .
  26. Web site: November 9, 2015. 9/11 survivor to Shore Line Museum – HeritageRail Alliance. live. September 13, 2021. HeritageRail. https://web.archive.org/web/20210408040948/https://heritagerail.org/2015/11/911-survivor-to-shore-line-museum/ . April 8, 2021 .
  27. Web site: ThreatsWatch.Org: InBrief: Foreign Plot to Bomb Holland Tunnel Thwarted - Updated. Schippert. Steve. July 7, 2006. threatswatch.org. December 29, 2017. August 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210812050757/http://inbrief.threatswatch.org/2006/07/foreign-plot-to-bomb-holland-t/. dead.
  28. Web site: World Trade Center's PATH station will close for 45 weekends for repairs. Walker. Ameena. December 5, 2018. Curbed NY. January 3, 2019. January 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072801/https://ny.curbed.com/2018/12/5/18127560/world-trade-center-path-station-weekend-closures. live.

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