Queens-Midtown Tunnel reopens after drilling accident leads to water leak

Queens-Midtown Tunnel reopens after water leak

The Queens-Midtown Tunnel was temporarily closed on Wednesday after a private contractor accidentally drilled a hole into the roof of the tunnel, allowing water from the East River to cascade inside.

QUEENS - The Queens-Midtown tunnel has fully reopened in both directions after closing earlier today due to a drilling accident that allowed water to begin flowing into the tunnel.

According to MTA CEO Janno Lieber, a private contractor hired by the city of New York was doing exploratory drilling along Manhattan's shore of the East River near the U.N., in order to find pylons that would support a greenway walk project along the riverfront.

According to Lieber, the contractor got bad information and began drilling atop the tunnel, and punched a 2 ½ inch hole in the tunnel's cast iron liner, sending cascades of water into the tunnel.

Crews were eventually able to plug the hole, but while the tunnel was closed, drivers faced a truly horrendous commute.

Queens-Midtown Tunnel leak causes commute chaos

Many people were trapped in gridlock for hours after the temporary closure of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel on Wednesday afternoon. FOX 5 NY's Linda Schmidt spoke with drivers who endured a day of delays on the city's roads.

By 6 p.m., the tunnel reopened.

Drivers are warned to expect residual delays.

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Queens-Midtown Tunnel status

For more information from the MTA, click HERE.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 5 NY for the latest.