Amtrak's plan to close a portion of the East River Tunnel for three years to conduct repairs is heavily criticized in this article. The author argues that this closure will cause significant disruptions to LIRR and Amtrak services, including the elimination of a substantial number of train trips.
The article proposes an alternative approach: repairing the tunnel during nights and weekends, a method successfully employed in other parts of the world, such as the London Underground and the New York City subway. This approach, the author asserts, would avoid the extensive service disruptions caused by a complete closure.
The author criticizes Amtrak for its perceived incompetence and claims that the three-year timeframe is unrealistic. They further suggest that Amtrak's insistence on a full closure is driven by self-interest and a disregard for the needs of commuters.
The article concludes with a direct appeal to President Trump and Secretary Duffy to intervene and prevent the closure, emphasizing the unnecessary nature of such a disruptive repair strategy and suggesting alternatives involving outside expertise if necessary.