Massive Tunnel Shield Built for $16B Hudson River Project

G&D Fab & Welding crafts a 375,000-pound steel shield for a new train tunnel beneath the Hudson River.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 11:27am

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A photorealistic studio still life of a gleaming, metallic steel cylinder or tunnel segment, floating on a clean white background and dramatically lit to highlight its smooth, industrial texture.A custom-fabricated steel tunnel shield component destined for the $16 billion Hudson River rail project.NYC Today

G&D Fab & Welding, a father-son owned fabrication company, has been working since October on a giant tunnel boring shield that will be used in a $16 billion project to build a new train tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey. The massive 375,000-pound steel shield is destined to be buried underground once the tunnel construction is complete.

Why it matters

The new Hudson River tunnel project is a critical infrastructure initiative to improve rail transportation between New York and New Jersey, which currently relies on aging tunnels that are prone to flooding and disruptions. The custom-built tunnel shield from G&D Fab & Welding represents a key component of the complex engineering and construction efforts required for this high-profile, multi-billion dollar project.

The details

G&D Fab & Welding, owned by Gordon and Dylan Loader, has been fabricating the massive 375,000-pound steel tunnel shield since October. The shield will be used in the $16 billion project to build a new train tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting New York and New Jersey. Once the tunnel construction is finished, the shield will be left buried underground.

  • G&D Fab & Welding has worked on the tunnel shield since October 2025.
  • The $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project is currently underway.

The players

G&D Fab & Welding

A fabrication company owned by father-son duo Gordon and Dylan Loader that has been contracted to build a massive steel tunnel shield for the $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project.

Gordon Loader

The father and co-owner of G&D Fab & Welding, which is fabricating the tunnel shield for the Hudson River project.

Dylan Loader

The son and co-owner of G&D Fab & Welding, which is fabricating the tunnel shield for the Hudson River project.

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The takeaway

The custom tunnel shield fabricated by the small, family-owned G&D Fab & Welding represents a critical component of the complex engineering and construction efforts required for the high-profile $16 billion Hudson River tunnel project, which aims to improve aging rail infrastructure and transportation between New York and New Jersey.