Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvement Project Contract 1

Hunts Point Interstate Access Improvements Project Contract 1 benefited the local community by removing commercial traffic from local streets and improving truck access to the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. This project included seven new bridges over Amtrak/CSX, two major bridge rehabilitations, 22 retaining walls, a new pedestrian bridge, new riverfront park with shared pedestrian and bicycle path beneath Bruckner Expressway, ADA compliant sidewalks and demolition of a 90-year-old truss bridge over the railroads.

“Island” Construction a Testament of Collaboration, Innovation and Safety

With more than 30 stakeholders ranging from railroads to local schools, the team worked collaboratively to overcome unique project challenges in innovative and effective ways while also reducing cost and schedule. Skanska ECCO III Joint Venture (SEJV) provided the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) unique means and methods of constructing this complex bridge and highway project over the railroad right-of-way and active tracks. The design of the project element called “the Island,” a retained earth structure, was one such example of the team working to reduce railroad impact and risk to Amtrak and CSX. The Island saved time on the schedule and removed risky temporary work elements from adjacent to the project right of way. It also benefited NYSDOT as it reduced the permanent structural thermal loads on bridge joints, integral piers and substructure components.

The team also used innovative ground improvement methods such as load balancing with a lightweight cellular foam concrete fill and load transfer platforms to address soil capacity issues and settlement concerns.

The team worked with stakeholders to ensure that all safety requirements were met before and during construction. One safety challenge involved setting up and using a large crawler crane to move steel and materials in the project area and erect steel girders over the railroad right-of-way. The crane was erected on top of the Island and supported on its own independent foundation system. This crane was used for most of the major structural steel picks over the railroad. These picks could not interfere with train schedules and traffic flow. Winds were monitored continuously during crane operations. If winds were to reach more than 30 MPH, work needed to be suspended. Much of the work had to occur overnight due to the railroad passenger train schedule which could not be interrupted.

Improving the Hunts Point Interstate Access has transformed an outdated interstate highway into a boulevard, giving residents and visitors safer recreational spaces and improved access to the market.

Design-Build Team

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