Sunnyside Yard Platform Repair (Tracks 1-36)
Queens, NY
Project Highlights/Scope of Work:
- Trenching
- Excavating
- Utility Work
Challenges:
- Working in an active rail yard with 36 tracks and associated active overhead catenary
- All material/equipment brought onto track had to be done during foul time for all tracks leading up to active working platform
- Placement of concrete was completed using slick lines underneath tracks to avoid the concrete truck coming too close or making contact with the overhead catenaries.
Description:
Amtrak's Sunnyside Yard is a 36-track rail yard housing Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT passenger trains. Concrete platforms are located between each track to allow railroad personnel safe and efficient travel within the yard. As concrete has deteriorated over the years, platforms have become increasingly unsafe and warranted repairs.
Such repairs fell under one of three platform categories, with each platform approximately 1,000 LF in length.
13 platforms contain an existing trench, 6 platforms contain a trench with an existing non-potable water line and 11 non-trenched flat platforms contain both concrete and asphalt sections. Trenched platform repairs included chipping concrete walls down to solid concrete, placing a new layer of reinforced concrete and installing a new diamond plated galvenized trench plates to cover the trench and make for a stable walking surface. In addition, a 2 in. non-potable water line with 11 hydrants and heat trace system were installed in trenched platforms without an existing system. Non-trenched platform repairs included removing any deteriorated concrete and expansion joints and replacing with a suitable equal (either new concrete or mortar mix). Any existing asphalt was removed and replaced with concrete resurfacer.
Lastly, the rail yard also contains a utility tunnel underneath the platforms. A new 6 in. non-potable water line with existing heat trace was installed in the utility tunnel and connected to the non-potable lines in associated platforms. A new masonry building was erected at one entrance of the utility tunnel, which houses a new backflow preventer and heat trace system for the new 6 in. non-potable water line.