UPDATED: Queens-Midtown Tunnel Partly Closed After Drilling Mistake

NEW YORK CITY – A “water condition” has resulted in the closure of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel under the East River, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) told Patch.

“They’re working on it now, trying to open one tube,” the spokesperson said. “[Department of Environmental Protection] is out there investigating the cause. That’s all the info we have.”

Patch was unable to reach the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) by phone and a request for comment has not yet been answered, but we will update this story when we hear back.

The NYPD confirmed that the tunnel would be closed until further notice.

As of 2:30 p.m., the tunnel remains closed, leading to a nightmarish traffic situation on Manhattan’s East Side.

Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes, and buses have been rerouted.

UPDATE: "This does not involve DEP infrastructure and we are not involved, nor are we investigating," a DEP spokesperson wrote, in an email.

UPDATE: "One tube reopening now," an MTA spokesperson confirmed, at 3:05 p.m., "with one lane of traffic in each direction. I refer you to City Hall for details on the nature of the incident."

FINAL UPDATE: What happened? The southbound tunnel remains closed, and Adrien Lesser, a spokesperson for the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), provided the following statement:

Earlier today, a subcontractor to EDC’s design consultant doing preliminary investigation work on the East River Esplanade drilled a small perforation in the outer casing of the Queens Midtown Tunnel. Water entered the southbound tunnel’s roadway through ventilation ducts. Engineers are on site to evaluate any damage and begin on repairs, and the northbound tunnel has been temporarily converted to handle two-way traffic while the southbound tunnel is closed. We are working closely with City Hall, NYCEM, MTA, and other city agencies as we continue to respond.