Commuters driving into Manhattan were advised to avoid the Queens-Midtown Tunnel due to a drilling mistake that caused water to leak into the tunnel, closing it down for hours. A contractor working on the East River Esplanade accidentally drilled a hole in the outer casing of the tunnel, allowing water to enter and leak onto passing cars. Traffic delays lasted for hours until both tubes of the tunnel finally reopened in the evening.
Engineers were on site to assess and repair the damage, with interim fixes being done while a permanent solution was planned for a later time. The contractor responsible for the drilling did not issue a statement, and an investigation into the incident was ongoing. The MTA initially attributed the leak to a water main break, leading to bus detours and increased traffic delays on the east side of Manhattan.
In addition to the tunnel closure, the Queensboro Bridge was partially closed during the week for upper roadway replacement, further impacting traffic flow in the area. The Queens Midtown Tunnel was originally opened in 1940 to help alleviate congestion on East River bridges.
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