Sandy Restoration

The preliminary engineering design for this design-build project involved Post-Hurricane Sandy restoration of the 30 miles of Hudson Line MNR right-of-way, particularly the 3rd rail traction power, and Communications and Signal components and systems. The restoration efforts focused on components damaged beyond repair and those with compromised reliability. A significant portion of the Hudson Line right-of-way and infrastructure systems had been inundated with salt water and were in serious need of repair.

As a subconsultant to Gannett Fleming, SJH provided structural, civil, and geotechnical engineering design. The structural design included utility bridges, raised equipment platforms for RTUs, fiber optic transmission systems, snow melter cabinets, new transformer pads, concrete pull boxes, splice pedestals, and other ancillary items, as well as stairways. The structural design followed MNR standards and guidelines, along with the NYS Fire Prevention and Building Code. The civil engineering scope involved the development of site/grading plans, access roadway plans, parking lot plans, and utility relocation plans. SJH drafted plans and prepared design calculations for the 30% design submission, which included foundation plans, framing plans, foundation details, steel details, and cable tray crossing details.

SJH also developed concept and preliminary details for bridges of various spans to support utilities at stream crossings. Typical abutment and framing details were provided for utility supports, with support spacing determined based on deflection tolerances. Post-design services included design quality assurance review of contract plans developed by the D-B team and shop drawings.

Additionally, SJH was responsible for over a dozen soil borings, some requiring special boring rigs to accommodate smaller spaces confined by existing track constraints. The site featured bedrock and organic soil. SJH coordinated with consultants to share borings, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. Due to the limited ROW and access constraints at some locations, it was not feasible to construct certain types of foundations. The design team developed alternative foundation types, allowing the contractor to select the option best suited to their capabilities and available equipment at each location.