The rehabilitation of MTA New York City Transit’s (NYC Transit) Coney Island Rail Yard was honored by the Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY) with a 2024 Structural Engineering Excellence (SEE) award within the Other Structures category.
STV served as lead designer for the program to make the facility – the largest rapid transit yard in New York and one of the largest in North America – more resilient against flooding and other disasters. Located near Coney Island Creek, in Brooklyn, NY, coastal flooding caused by 2012’s Superstorm Sandy damaged 28 structures, including maintenance shops vital to transit operations, and left the yard under four feet of brackish floodwaters.
The firm developed a damage review and feasibility study early in the project to identify flood mitigation solutions. STV’s short- and long-term resilient solutions included an upgraded drainage system, a hardened Traction Motor Shop and an elevated track cable bridge to support personnel, traction power and communication infrastructure. The 4,000-linear-feet elevated cable system was fabricated off-site and constructed in large segments, limiting disruptions to train operations.
“For the millions of New Yorkers who rely on our transit network, especially New York’s subway and rail system, protecting Coney Island Rail Yard is vital to the longevity of our transportation infrastructure in keeping our trains operational during severe storms,” said Jack Greenberg, PE, senior associate and project manager for Coney Island. “We’re proud that SEAoNY recognized the project and our team’s structural design.” Greenberg accepted the award alongside Chris Cerino, PE, SECB, F.SEI, DBIA, Ryan Conry, PE, SE and Matthew Sangen, PE, SE at SEAoNY’s annual boat cruise and awards ceremony.
