MTA Completes Phase 1 Bridge Replacement Work on Park Avenue Viaduct Project
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
MTA/Trent Reeves
NEW YORK CITY - The MTA has completed bridge replacement work on Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project.
In October 2023, RT&S reported on the beginning of construction on the Metro-North Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project. At that time, “areas underneath have been cleared for the viaduct’s new foundations and new columns that will support the new structure.” It’s a steel structure that has four Metro-North railroad tracks along Park Avenue with trains that travel along the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines. The project sought to replace the substructure and superstructure and install new track, power, communications, and signal systems. Crews used a gantry system over the Viaduct to replace whole sections of the bridge deck with new prefabricated bridge units.
Now, the MTA reports the elevated structure has been fully replaced between East 115th Street and East 123rd street along Park Avenue. The project as a whole is $93 million under budget and 51 months ahead of schedule, thanks to “strong project management and an innovative construction approach.” The total cost of the project is $590 million, with $500.9 million coming from federal funds. In June 2024, the MTA finished replacing the first section of the Park Avenue Viaduct. Since then, the MTA says the project has successfully replaced 128 individual sections of track without disrupting service. Phase 1 was 21 months ahead of schedule. Phase 2 of the project was then able to proceed “on an accelerated timeline that led to further time savings.”
The structure for Phase 1 is now complete, and the MTA says crews will complete additional work on the systems and track level through the winter. Phase 2 “will continue apace” with a completion date slated for September 2027.
Park Avenue Viaduct Construction
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “The Park Avenue Viaduct is a prime example of critical MTA infrastructure that had been left to rot for decades — but not anymore. Our 2025-2029 Capital Plan is all about bringing infrastructure into the 21st century, and we look forward to bringing the same innovative and cost-saving approach that has succeeded here to projects all over the system.”
Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek said, “This replacement project strengthens the backbone of Metro-North’s operations, which carries over 98 percent of all mainline trains. Ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the viaduct is critical to keep running safe and reliable service to and from Grand Central Terminal.”
MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “This is a banner day for the new MTA: Delivering a long-overdue infrastructure upgrade ahead of schedule, under budget, and without disrupting riders. Thanks to strong leadership, innovative planning, and smart delivery, we’ve replaced Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Viaduct better, faster and cheaper, and we’re just getting started.”
