Thursday, February 8, 2024

MTA - PSA Newsletter 7 (February 2024)

Welcome to the Penn Station Access Project quarterly newsletter. Penn Station Access will bolster equity, regional connectivity, and reliability by upgrading existing infrastructure and providing a new accessible transit option. Read on to learn more about recent progress, community engagement, and upcoming work. For past newsletter issues, click here. For updates on specific areas along the project corridor where work will take place, sign up here.

Para obtener más información sobre los hitos recientes del proyecto y el trabajo próximo, haga clic aqui.

Recent Progress

2023 Year in Review

The Penn Station Access team made significant progress throughout the project corridor in 2023—including site preparation and grading, drainage systems, micropile installation, switch and track work, and modernizing the overhead catenary systems. Much of this work was concentrated at Leggett Interlocking near Hunts Point. Once commissioned, this critical junction will enable greater operational flexibility for Amtrak and the project.

Recent Progress: Bridge Rehabilitation

In addition to 4 new stations, the project includes 19 miles of track work, 4 new interlockings, 1 reconfigured interlocking, 5 new and 2 upgraded substations, and 4 bridge rehabilitations. The Design-Builder has made steady progress at the first two bridges—the Eastchester Road Bridge near Morris Park and the Bronxdale Avenue Bridge near Parkchester/Van Nest. To minimize disruption to rail service and roadway traffic, the contractor has deployed a strategic span-by-span approach to these bridge rehabilitations. Over the last few months, the team has completed the installation of tiebacks and micropiles at both bridges.

PSA construction workers preparing for superstructure demolition work

at Bronxdale Avenue Bridge, December 2023

Community Corner

2023 Wrap Up

Community meetings were an integral part of our success in 2023. Throughout the year, the project team participated in more than 20 stakeholder meetings and community events where we heard valuable feedback from local leadership and interested citizens. Thanks to the stakeholder groups and members of the public who attended.

Neighborhood Spotlight: Co-op City

Co-op City is the nation’s largest cooperative housing project, accommodating nearly 50,000 people in 15,372 apartments across 35 towers and 7 three-story townhouse clusters. Constructed from 1965 to 1973 on marshy land and sand fill in the East Bronx, the cooperative originated as an affordable housing project aimed at middle class New Yorkers [Source: https://www.coopcity.com/aboutus]. The Penn Station Access Project will bring direct Metro-North service to the area, transforming access to Manhattan and the Northeast Corridor for the many residents living in and around

Co-op City.

Meet the Team

Duke Samala serves as the Design-Builder’s Quality Control Manager. He has 16 years of experience as a civil engineer and helped to execute the construction of Newark International Airport’s Terminal One. As the Quality Control Manager, he ensures that the project is compliant with the contract and design specifications, acts as a liaison to a variety of project personnel, and provides quality control inspections and testing at work sites throughout the alignment. Duke feels fortunate to be able to contribute to the advancement of New York’s transportation infrastructure. He stands by the principle of always trying to do one’s best and doing the right thing even when no one else is looking.

Commitment to Diversity

In observation of Black History Month & Women’s History Month, the project is celebrating its commitment to promoting a diverse business environment. We’re expanding contract opportunities for often-excluded minority and women entrepreneurs. The MTA, together with the Design-Builder, have established a goal to award 22.5% of the contract values to disadvantaged businesses.

For more information on MTA’s business opportunities for minorities, women and veterans with service disabilities please visit us here.

Up Next

Work will continue to advance throughout the project alignment in 2024. Leggett Interlocking will be commissioned. The contractor will reconstruct the center piers at both the Eastchester Road and Bronxdale Avenue Bridges and commence work at the Pelham Lane and Bronx River Bridges. Foundation construction will continue at the Hunts Point, Morris Park, and Co-op City station areas.