Old New York History

01/02/06

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is planning to widen the Alexander Hamilton Bridge, which crosses the Harlem River between the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx. Plans call for adding an outer lane in each direction, and construction will include new concrete pylons to support the additional lanes. Before the pylons can be erected, however, the below-ground area where the pylons will be located must be checked for any facilities that may conflict with the pylons.

As part of the master contract with NYSDOT, TBE has been performing Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) services to find these underground facilities. The job is far from routine.

TBE is coordinating with five subconsultants in addition to several city and state agencies, including NYSDOT, New York City DOT’s Office of Construction Mitigation and Coordination, New York Police Department, New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s Pump Operations and Reservoir Operations, and New York City Parks Department.

Initial records research indicated the existence of a buried pump station, dating back to the late 1800s, within the scope of the project. However, the exact location of the pump station was unknown, so TBE performed designating and confined space services to verify and measure the pump station.

The scope of the project expanded to include mitigation and restoration of Highbridge Park, located on the Manhattan side of the Alexander Hamilton bridge. Further records research revealed a buried coal tunnel. TBE performed designating and confined space services on the coal tunnel as well.

These facilities are part of New York’s history, and it is important that TBE designates and measures them so they are not damaged during construction.