Watch live: Queens-Midtown Tunnel partially shut after contractor drills into tunnel, sources say
NEW YORK - The Queens-Midtown Tunnel was partially shut down Wednesday afternoon after a contractor mistakenly drilled a hole into the roof of one the tubes, sources tell CBS News New York.
The hole allowed water from the East River to leak into the south tube of the tunnel.
The situation started at roughly 1:30 p.m. Tunnel traffic was initially shut down in both directions. The north tube of the tunnel reopened for traffic in both directions just after 3 p.m.
Drivers are urged to use alternate routes. All buses that use the tunnel are being detoured. Chopper 2 was live over the scene, capturing lengthy traffic backups.
"Multiple agencies are working to resume regular service as quickly as possible," a spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams said. "As we work to restore regular service, commuters should expect heavy traffic and disruptions."
Adams was expected to hold a news conference on the incident at around 4:15 p.m. We will bring that to you live on CBS News New York.
Gov. Kathy Hochul says she has been briefed on the situation, and "the south tube is still being assessed."
What happened in the tunnel
Sources tell CBS News New York that the incident was a result of a greenway beautification project that was undertaken by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and went terribly wrong.
The EDC hired a subcontractor that used a drilling company whose drill went way off the mark, drilling a hole in the roof of one of the tubes of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, allowing water from the East River to leak into the tube, sources said.
That tube that was breached is being evaluated by officials, sources said.
Video taken inside the tunnel showed a vehicle using its windshield wipers as water seemed to rain within the tunnel.
In a message posted on social media, the MTA initially said the issue was a water main break.
They have since said that message was sent in error, and that the cause is a water condition.
Check back soon for more information on this developing story.
