Super Storm Sandy revealed serious weaknesses and vulnerability to infrastructure and property in the NY Metropolitan area. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took proactive measures to harden and build resiliency into their train and electrical infrastructure with the letting of multiple design-bid-build projects.  Yonkers was awarded four Port Authority Sandy Infrastructure Resiliency Projects involving PATH train facilities and electrical substations.  Yonkers’ construction of Substations 8 and 14 is being performed to current resiliency standards and specifications, with resilient materials while employing sustainability and green construction methods.  Flood resiliency measures include new foundations constructed to the 2015 FEMA flood guidelines.

 

Substation 8 is located between active train tracks used by PATH, Conrail, CSX, and New Jersey Transit.  The work consists of constructing a new two-story steel framed substation building founded on a series of 68 ft micro-piles with pile caps and grade beams. The new two-story building will include two 2,000kw traction power transformer-rectifier units and DC switchgear, compressor plant, new power feeds from the local utility company which will include the installation of hardened sub-surface utilities for electric and storm water management below active railroad tracks.  To provide access Yonkers will grade roadways, create realignments, place sidewalks, curbs, create parking complete with landscaping, fencing and site drainage.

 

Substation 14 is a new two-story steel framed extension that will be added to the existing structure. The work involves the replacement and upgrade of the existing substation located in the PATH Car Maintenance Facility.  The work consists of constructing a new two-story steel framed substation building founded on a series of 92 drilled pressure piles caps and grade beams. The substation includes two 4,000kw traction power transformer-rectifier units and DC switchgear.  Yonkers will fit out the new two-story building and will install a compressor plant and new power feeds from the local utility company which will include the installation of hardened sub-surface utilities for electric and storm water management within the maintenance yard.