HUDSON YARDS — Construction at Hudson Yards is about to get loud.
For the next six months, West Siders living and working near the Hudson Yards construction site will have to endure as many as four explosions each day as workers begin boring a tunnel under the Hudson River.
The blasts are the beginnings of the Gateway Project, which will eventually allow additional Amtrak and other trains to run between Penn Station and Newark.
The explosions could begin as early as next week, according to The Related Companies, which is building the massive Hudson Yards development in the area and is also managing the tunnel construction, along with the Tutor Perini Corporation. Related recently sent a warning about the blasts to Community Board 4 and local elected officials.
The work involves demolition, excavation and removal of rock under the West Side Rail Yards in order to preserve a space for train tracks when construction on the the future Gateway Project begins. The $133 million job will make way for two concrete, flood-resistant tunnels that will eventually help increase travel between New York and New Jersey.
"The work anticipates four short blasts between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. weekdays and is being conducted in compliance with the relevant permits issued by DEP and FDNY," said Related spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti.
While Related doesn't expect the explosions to be a regular occurrence, the company has permission from the city to blast up to four times daily during weekdays, Scaperotti said.
According to Related, noise levels will be monitored by on-site crews and each blast will be brief.
An Amtrak spokesman said he was not aware of the work.
