The Van Wyck Expressway Viaduct Rehabilitation was undertaken to preserve and extend the service life of a 1.5-mile elevated roadway that serves as one of New York City’s most critical transportation corridors. Carrying heavy daily traffic between Queens, Midtown Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport, the viaduct also supports regional travel to major destinations such as Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Citi Field and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The New York State Department of Transportation engaged STV to provide resident engineering, construction inspection and office engineering services for this complex, multi-year rehabilitation effort
What challenges did STV address?
The project required major structural rehabilitation in an intensely constrained, high-traffic environment, where even minor lane shifts could affect airport access, commuter travel and major event operations. Field investigations revealed areas of deterioration that exceeded original expectations, necessitating adaptive engineering responses. All work was performed while maintaining traffic flow, emergency access and connections to surrounding neighborhoods and parkland
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV oversaw the replacement of more than 236,000 square feet of concrete deck, the rehabilitation of steel and concrete substructures and the full replacement of 18 concrete piers, supported by elaborate shoring systems beneath active lanes. The team implemented advanced materials – including High-Performance Internal Cure Concrete (HPIC) and Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) – and employed accelerated bridge construction techniques to rebuild ramp decks within weekend closures. Adaptive work-zone traffic control and digital inspection tools enabled real-time coordination and rapid issue resolution
How did the project benefit the region?
Upon completion, the rehabilitated viaduct delivered a safer, more resilient gateway corridor that supports regional mobility, airport access and economic activity – strengthening a vital link between Queens and the world
Key Stats and Accolades
- 1.5-mile elevated viaduct rehabilitation
- ~236,000 sq ft of deck replacement
- 18 concrete piers fully reconstructed
Use of UHPC, HPIC, and accelerated bridge construction methods
