Drier Days Ahead For Leaky Tunnel

For up to five months, Keith Hatch will have to watch his step more than ever when he navigates Union Station’s leaky passenger tunnel. But after that he and other commuters will be home free.

That’s the goal of a subterranean repair project about to begin at the station.

Hatch (pictured), a military vet who walks with a cane because of injuries suffered during a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, is used to bypassing the puddles and mops and blocked-off corners on his way through the tunnel from the train out to the Veterans Administration hospital.

Starting next week, Capasso Restoration of North Haven will begin working on a $363,500 contract with the New Haven Parking Authority (NHPA) to tackle the structural problems that for years have plagued that psychedelic tunnel connecting the tracks with Union Station’s historic main area with continual leaks.

“This is the number-one complaint I get from commuters,” NHPA Executive Director Doug Hausladen said of the leaks.

He identified three reasons, and planned fixes, for the leaks:

• Water leaks in from above the tunnel. So the crew will waterproof the tracks and seal cracks in the platforms and fix the ceilings.

• Drainage problems developed inside four of the stairwell walls. By Track 10 (pictured), a drain inadvertently was plugged up years ago during a construction project. Water backed up and caused damage. Now that the problem has been identified, the crew will reconnect a drip pan to a drainage system inside the wall and fix the drainage systems overall inside the walls.

• ​“We’re literally underwater” — Union Station is three feet below sea level. ​“That pushes water through the bottom,” producing cracks through the floor. The crew will ​“inject waterproofing grout into joints and cracks in the floor slab” (i.e. seal the cracks).

NHPA Chief Engineer Jim Staniewicz will oversee the project, which will be funded by parking revenues and is scheduled to last five months.

The crew will perform the work in eight stages so the tunnel can remain open the entire time. So look out for detour and ​“pardon our appearance” signs.

Commuters like Hatch on their way to and from trains Tuesday afternoon welcomed the project. They’ve noticed the water problems. They also appreciate what a gem Union Station is.

“I think it can use the improvement,” said Mark Thomas, an electrical contractor who commutes daily by train to New Haven from New London.

“It can definitely use the work,” agreed Southern Connecticut State University graphic design student Sergio Escobar (pictured), who commutes from Bridgeport. He said he likes the tunnel’s ​“New York City subway” feel and looks forward to it drying out.