Superstorm Sandy Restoration & Mitigation of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel (QM40)

Services:
- Development of a conceptual design for the upgrade of the DYNAC system to support full functionality of the Blue Panel traffic board
- Upgrading to full PLC control
- Modifications include the support for partial control modes to allow the tunnel to be configured more finely to support incidents.
Relevance:
- Superstorm Sandy mitigation of New York City infrastructure
Key Personnel:
- Alexandros Constantinides, P.E., Resident Engineer
- Michael Lemken, P.E., Assistant Resident Engineer
Construction Value:
- $293 Million

Project Overview

Role: Construction Administration and Inspection Services

M&J Engineering, D.P.C. (M&J), as a joint venture partner leading the construction inspection team, provided REI services for this project that included repairs to roadway, concrete liner, roadway ceiling slab, and exhaust and fresh air ducts; tunnel leak repairs; rehabilitation/ replacement of tunnel curbs and gutters; replacement of the fire stand pipe system; replacement of tunnel finishes including ceiling panels, wall tiles, polymer panels, and SST niche doors; cleaning and corrosion inhibitor application to tunnel concrete liner, ceiling slabs, and other structural systems; structural hardening of ceiling support hangers; rehabilitation of the cathodic protection system; replacement of the low-tension duct bank system and cables (including temporary electrical construction), catwalk, and handrail; electrical replacement including motors, motor controls (SCADA) for pump rooms, LED lighting systems, code call/evacuation system, electrical boxes (E boxes) and components, tunnel traffic control and communication system (including telephone, emergency pull station, signal control, VMS, and lane use signals), control room video wall, CCTV, and fiber optic system; new network switches in the QMT PBX room and field E-Boxes, installation of emergency exit lights and signage; replacement/rehabilitation of the tunnel drainage pumping system; abatement of lead and asbestos; painting, repair of retaining walls, concrete structural slabs, and sub-surfaces; grouting; repair/replacement of roadway expansion joints and sidewalk; restoration of asphalt wearing course and striping; and MPT. Additional work included installation of a new fire alarm panel at the Queens Service Building; removal of the old Queens Plaza EZpass toll booth system and installation of a new Open Road Toll system at the Manhattan Plaza, and installation of security towers at Manhattan and Queens plazas. M&J worked with tunnel staff to develop a conceptual design for the upgrade of the DYNAC system to support full functionality of the “Blue Panel” traffic board. The E-Boxes were upgraded to full PLC control. The modifications include the support for partial control modes to allow the tunnel to be configured more finely to support incidents.

This project received a 2019 ACEC Engineering Excellence Gold Award – Category C, Structural Systems.

Client Contact

Andie Yee, Lead Project Manager
MTA Bridges and Tunnels
(718) 349-4231
ayee@mtabt.org

Superstorm Sandy Restoration & Mitigation of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel (QM40)

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