Jersey City, NJ

• Design and build a concrete plug 16’ thick
• RCC worked 24/7 until job was completed
• Build formwork into tunnel rings
• Bring concrete 70 feet below street level
• Remove plug and restore tunnel and track

In the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy water from broken water lines and from the fireman putting out fires was filling the “bathtub“ at the World Trade Center.  The “bathtub” had two “drains” at the lowest point which were the PATH train tunnels from the World Trade Center to Exchange Place in Jersey City New Jersey, across the Hudson River.

Railroad Construction Company, inc. was called in to design, and build a concrete plug to stop the water coming from the WTC through the flooded railroad tunnels into NJ.  The fear was that if a major break occurred at the WTC the water would flood Exchange Place in NJ.

In one weekend Railroad Construction Company, Inc. (RCC) designed the 16 foot thick by 18 foot diameter concrete plug, the formwork and contacted vendors for equipment to begin the work.  The plug interlocked with the cast iron tunnel rings, and had a 3 foot pipeline in it to allow, men to enter into the tunnel area to inspect for water damage.

RCC worked 24/7, to demolish the duct banks, tracks and generally prepare the area for concrete, build the form work into the tunnel rings, and place the concrete form the street level, which was 70 feet above the plug.

The two plugs were successful at stopping the water from entering Exchange Place.  When the crisis was over RCC Demolished the plug and restored the track area.