Track Expansion Is a Medley of Moving Parts

摘要

Thanks to a box-jacking method new to the U.S., a contractor "ambassador" program and flexibility allowed by design-build, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is well underway with a $2.6-billion, 10-mile project to add a third track to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRE.) commuter line. Running from Floral Park, N.Y. to Hicksville, N.Y., the effort constitutes one of the region's most significant transportation infrastructure projects. Major project elements include elimination of eight grade crossings, new parking facilities, upgrades to railroad infrastructure and improvements to stations. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the stretch of railway served about 100,000 commuters a day, running 250 trains, says Thomas McGuinness, MTA deputy project manager for the main line expansion. With only two current tracks, "during peak flow, you assume one [flow of traffic] in each direction," he says. "We have peak flow schedules set up that utilize both tracks in peak flow dgirections for short periods of time. But it hampers reverse commutes."