Comparable Projects — North South Rail Link

Cities around the world, facing the same rail capacity challenges we do, have recognized the compelling advantages of run-through versus stub-end rail operations, and have either already linked their downtown terminals or are the process of doing so, thereby improving not just capacity, but operational efficiency and convenience, and opening valuable urban land for higher uses.

Boston was one of the first cities to recognize the value of a unified rail system, but while we have dithered, other cities have moved forward. In every case, they have faced challenges, because these are never simple projects. But in case after case, they have achieved what we have not

While no two projects are exactly alike, there are many common themes and challenges. Many projects similar in scope and complexity to our own NSRL have been completed at costs far lower than has been quoted here in Boston, despite typically higher construction costs in several of these cities.

Scope and Cost Comparison for Comparable Projects

Click on items below for photos and drawings.

city / project / date	scope & construction methods	cost (USD)
Zurich, Switzerland Durchmesserlinie 2007 - 2015	1 double-track tunnel, 36’ diameter Tunnel Boring Machine (Mixshield) 6 miles total (2.8 miles in tunnel) 2 stations (1 below grade)	$2.1 Billion
Malmo, Sweden Citytunneln 2005 - 2010	2 single-track tunnels, 29’ diameter Tunnel Boring Machine 10.6 miles total (3.7 miles in tunnel) 3 stations (2 below grade)	$1.0 Billion
Leipzig, Germany City-Tunnel 2003 – 2013	2 single-track tunnels, Tunnel Boring Machine 3.3 miles total (2.5 miles in tunnel & stations) 5 stations (4 below grade + 1 at surface)	$1.03 Billion
Stockholm, Sweden Citybanan 2007 - 2017	1 double-track tunnel, 39.4’W x 23’ H Mined + immersed tube at harbor 3.7 miles in tunnel 2 stations below grade	$1.97 Billion
Ottawa, Canada Confederation Line 2013 – 2018	1 double-track tunnel, 29.5’ W x 18.4’H Mined 1.6 miles in tunnel 13 stations (3 below grade)	$1.6 Billion
Gothenburg, Sweden Vastlanken 2015 - 2025	2 single-track tunnels, Tunnel Boring Machine 5 route miles, 3.5 miles in tunnel (2 x 3.5 = 7 miles of tunnel) 3 stations below grade	$2.3 Billion
London, UK CrossRail 2008 - 2019	2 single-track tunnels, 23.3’ diameter Tunnel Boring Machine (EPB & Mix Shield) 73 route miles, 13 miles below grade (26 miles of tunnel) 40 stations (10 new + 30 renovated)	$22.4 Billion
London, UK Jubilee Line Extension 1993-1999	2 single-track tunnels TBM & New Austrian Tunnel Method (NATM) 37 route miles, 7.7 miles in tunnel 11 stations (8 deep, 3 at surface)	$7.1 Billion
Oslo, Norway Oslo-Ski Follobanen Link 2015 - 2021	2 single track tunnels Tunnel Boring Machine (EPB & Mix Shield) 73 route miles, 13 miles below grade (26 miles of tunnel) 1 new surface station at Ski	$2.35 Billion
New York City, USA East Side Access 2001 - 2023	4 to 8 single-track tunnels, 22’ diameter 4 Tunnel Boring Machines 14 route miles, 12.1 miles in twin tunnels (24.2 miles of tunnel) 1 new station 140’ below Park Ave. 8 tracks	$10.8 Billion
Philadelphia, USA Center City Commuter Connection 1978-1984	4-tracks Cut and Cover 1.7 route miles 2 new underground stations	$330 Million
Cambridge, USA Red Line Extension 1978 - 1985	2 single-track tunnels, 20’ diameter Mined (1.7 miles Harvard to Davis) + Cut & Cover (1.5 miles Davis to Alewife) 3.2 route miles 4 new stations (3 below grade)	$1.61 Billion (2016 dollars)
Boston, USA North South Rail Link 2018 - 2025?	2 double-track tunnels (41’ diameter) Tunnel Boring Machine 2.8 route miles with 5 portals 3 stations below grade	TBD