metro north railroad - cable replacement at harlem river lift bridge

Environmental Planning & Management, Inc. (EPM), as a subconsultant to Hardesty and Hanover, performed a Hazardous Materials investigation of all areas impacted to be by the replacement of the bridge cables of the Metro North Harlem River Lift Bridge which connects Manhattan and the Bronx, in New York City.

 Prior to conducting inspection work, EPM personnel reviewed existing reports to identify the location of asbestos containing materials (ACM) and lead containing materials previously investigated by other agencies.

 EPM collected bulk samples of suspected ACM for lab analysis using Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).  Testing confirmed the presence of asbestos in a number of samples.

 In addition, EPM collected bulk samples of suspected lead based paint from various locations in the interior and exterior of the Manhattan  and Bronx towers, including railings, structural steel, and window frames.  Analysis by modified EPA SW-846 Methods 7420 using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy revealed measurable levels of lead in all of the samples.

 Samples of cable grease submitted for analysis indicated a low concentration of polychlorinated bipheyls (PCB), which warrants proper handling and disposal during removal and replacement operations.

 EPM submitted a detailed report which summarized all sampling and test results, plus recommendations for abatement of all identified hazardous material.

 EPM subsequently produced preliminary design specifications for abatement of identified asbestos containing materials and lead containing paint.