The Challenge

  • Navigating connectivity challenges
  • Efficiency for commuters
  • Enhanced safety monitoring

The East Side Access (ESA) project in New York City connected the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Main and Port Washington lines in Queens to a new LIRR terminal beneath Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. The connection increased the LIRR’s capacity into Manhattan, dramatically shortening travel time for Long Island and eastern Queens commuters traveling to the East Side of Manhattan.

The Solution

Geocomp managed the geotechnical instrumentation data on the Manhattan Approach Tunnels and Queens Open-Cut Excavation. Tunnel boring machine (TBM) equipment was used to bore four TBM drives from the existing tunnel under 63rd Street and Second Avenue to the south end of the GCT tail tracks. The work also included excavation of cross passages between the tunnels and a central instrument room.

An open-cut structure was created and then decked over to serve as the TBM launch area for the Queens tunnels prior to its permanent use as an interlocking and emergency exit/ventilation facility.

Services Provided

Instrumentation & Monitoring

Installation of geotechnical instruments and monitoring of sensor thresholds

Data Management

Real-time automated alerts on sensor limit exceedance designed to be remotely accessed

Related Projects

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East Side Access

Value Delivered:

24/7 monitoring and reporting provided essential data
during critical and sensitive phases of construction
Decreased travel time for commuters across the city
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Canopy Hotel Boston (Parcel 9)

Value Delivered:

Monitor tunnel ceiling for public safety during
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Provide 24/7 automated monitoring and alerts for
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Customize liquid-level monitoring for project needs
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Edmonton Light Rail Tunnel

Value Delivered:

Automated geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring
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Reduce risk to general public and nearby property owners
by providing real-time automated alerts

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