MTA working to fix and fortify Staten Island Railway’s St. George Interlocking

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

A major Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit (MTA-NYCT) Fix&Fortify Sandy Recovery project underway on the Staten Island Railway (SIR) will require five weekend closures between October 24 and November 30.

 

Three years ago, Superstorm Sandy drove a six-foot storm surge onto the shores of Staten Island. Portions of the railway suffered extensive damage when tracks and equipment were totally submerged. In September 2014, a contract was awarded to LK Comstock for the rehabilitation of the St. George Terminal interlocking, which serves the main passenger connection to the Staten Island Ferry.

This $105-million project will modernize and replace the St. George Interlocking track and signal systems, as well as rehabilitate the tower that controls train movement in and out of the terminal. The electrical distribution equipment housed in the tower was also damaged during the storm.

Resiliency measures that will be integrated into the project include the raising of all signals from 24 to 72 inches above the roadbed and using a raised platform for battery and generator enclosures. The project also includes the placement of new ballast, the replacement of 12,000 feet of track and 13 turnouts and a new third rail system.

The project is designed to restore and rebuild damaged infrastructure while reducing the system’s vulnerability in the event of future severe weather.

 

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