The transformation of the Coney Island Rail Yard Complex — the largest rail yard in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) New York City Transit network — was named the best airport/transit project by Engineering-New Record New York (ENR NY).
ENR NY selected the project in its 2024 regional best projects of the year program that recognizes the top projects across the New York and New Jersey region. As lead designer, STV developed both short- and long-term solutions for the rail yard.
The Coney Island Rail Yard stands as one of the largest rail yards North America. Encompassing three yards in one that serve four commuter rail lines, the complex provides crucial repairs to maintain operations for NYC Transit’s subway system. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy damaged 28 structures at the site, leaving the yard under four feet and approximately 27 million gallons of brackish water and debris.
MTA initiated a comprehensive resilience program to protect the site from future storms. STV developed an emergency, short-term solution to protect the yard from any further damage after Sandy, but a comprehensive site assessment revealed contamination and corrosion of the yard’s power infrastructure due to the saltwater flooding. The new, 5,000-foot-long elevated track cable bridge protects traction power, communication and fiber optic cables and personnel high above the flood elevation.
At the rehabilitated yard, STV designed a permanent perimeter protection system, upgraded drainage, hardened Traction Motor Shop and an elevated cable track bridge for the communications and power cables. ENR NY will honor the project and its team at an awards ceremony in November 2024.
“STV’s experts in resilience, environmental sciences, maintenance facilities, systems and structural engineering all had a hand in delivering this program to safeguard the Coney Island Rail Yard Complex,” said Jack Greenberg, PE, project manager.
Additionally, STV’s teams in the West shared honors for their contributions to two projects.
Washington’s Sound Transit East Link Extension earned an ENR Northwest Award of Merit in the airport/transit category. H-J-H Final Design Partners submitted the entry. STV, in joint venture with Mott MacDonald, oversaw the systems construction for this transformative light rail expansion that brings service to Seattle’s Eastside for the first time.
Along 14 miles between Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond, the extension includes 10 stations—two of which opened in April 2024. The joint venture provided technical review and construction management services for traction power, communications, signaling and train control systems. These elements play a crucial role in train operations to provide efficient, safe and reliable commutes. Hear more from STV’s team as they reflect on the project’s impact on Washington.
The Delta Sky Way Program at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) earned ENR California’s Best Project in the airport/transit category. Hensel Phelps submitted the entry, which also won the Excellence in Safety award and an Award of Merit in sustainability. STV, in joint venture, performed program and project management services for the reconstruction and renovation of LAX’s Terminals 2 and 3.
A new central headhouse features a consolidated check-in lobby, security checkpoint and baggage claim. Automated screening lanes help passengers reach the 27 gates faster, while one of the largest Delta Sky Clubs clocks in at 30,000 square feet. STV’s program management team provided baggage handling system management, scheduling, financial controls, change and contracts management and tenant move management services. The project was delivered 18 months early thanks to an accelerated schedule as a result of the pandemic slowdown of airport traffic.
