New York City, a metropolis renowned for its towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, relies on a complex and aging network of infrastructure hidden deep beneath the surface. 

Among the most critical is the city’s water supply system, responsible for delivering clean and safe drinking water to over 9 million residents in the city and Westchester County. 

To ensure the system’s continued reliability and meet future demands, the city has embarked on a major infrastructure project: the Kensico-Eastview Connection Tunnel.

This ambitious undertaking, recently awarded to Frontier-Kemper Constructors, a subsidiary of Tutor Perini Corporation, involves the construction of a 2-mile-long tunnel connecting the Kensico Reservoir near White Plains to the Catskill/Delaware Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Facility in Eastview. The $1.1 billion contract marks a significant investment in the city’s water infrastructure and highlights the crucial role of tunneling in modern urban development.

The Kensico Reservoir, a sprawling body of water nestled amidst the rolling hills of Westchester County, serves as a vital source of drinking water for the region. The Catskill/Delaware Ultraviolet Light Disinfection Facility, on the other hand, represents the cutting edge of water treatment technology. 

As the world’s largest ultraviolet treatment plant, it utilizes 56 UV units to neutralize harmful microorganisms like cryptosporidium and giardia, which can cause gastrointestinal illness. By connecting these two critical points, the new tunnel will improve the system’s resilience and ensure a consistent flow of safe drinking water.

But the Kensico-Eastview Connection Tunnel is not just about increasing capacity; it’s also about providing redundancy and flexibility. The tunnel will allow other components of the water system, such as the Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, to be taken offline for maintenance or inspection without disrupting service. This is particularly important as the city plans to construct a cover over the Hillview Reservoir, a project that will require sections of the reservoir to be temporarily drained.

The tunnel itself will be a marvel of engineering. With a diameter of 27 feet, it will run 400 to 500 feet below ground, traversing through layers of bedrock and navigating complex geological conditions. Upon completion, it will have the capacity to carry 2.6 billion gallons of water per day, enough to meet the needs of a growing population and provide a crucial buffer against future droughts or disruptions.

“The Kensico-Eastview Connection project is an essential investment in securing the long-term resilience of New York City’s water supply system,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. He emphasized the importance of this project in maintaining a reliable water supply for the city and its surrounding areas, particularly in the face of increasing urbanization and climate change.

For Tutor Perini, the contract represents a significant win amidst a challenging financial period. The company recently announced that it expects to report a loss in its third-quarter earnings due to charges related to disputes on other projects. However, the company also anticipates a record backlog of approximately $14 billion, which will now include the Kensico-Eastview Connection Tunnel.

Frontier-Kemper, with its extensive experience in underground construction, is well-equipped to handle the complexities of this project. The company has a proven track record of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects on time and within budget, and its expertise in tunneling will be crucial in ensuring the successful completion of the Kensico-Eastview Connection Tunnel.

Work on the tunnel is expected to begin in the coming months and continue for several years, with substantial completion anticipated in 2030. As cities around the world grapple with aging infrastructure and growing demands, projects like the Kensico-Eastview Connection Tunnel offer a glimpse into the future of urban development, where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand.