East River Tunnels' $550M Fix Completed After Sandy Devastation

NEW YORK, NY — Work to restore and upgrade New York City's Hugh L. Carey and Queens Midtown tunnels has wrapped up six years after they were badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy.

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other elected officials celebrated the completion of the work Friday in Queens.

The tunnels now have 50,000-pound steel floodgates to protect them from water, as well as new energy-efficient lights and cashless tolling technology.

During the 2012 storm, saltwater flooded the two tunnels, badly damaging their electrical and lighting systems.

Restoring and modernizing the tunnels cost more than $550 million. The federal government kicked in more than $400 million for the work, which was completed nine months ahead of schedule.

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