MTACC - Construction Management Services for East Side Access

Queens/Manhattan, NY

Environmental Planning & Management, Inc. (EPM) provided inspection and monitoring services during the construction of the East Side Access Project, which will connect the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station. Work typically involved monitoring of excavation of contaminated soils, and project and air monitoring during asbestos abatement and/or disturbance of lead containing paint prior to structure demolition.

Related actions completed by EPM included:

1. Asbestos survey of Sarah Rose properties at 38-50 & 38-52 43rd St (two buildings to be demolished) in Long Island City, Queens.
2. Limited visual inspection of numerous manholes to be demolished and Amtrak/LIRR duct banks in Long Island City. Intent was to ascertain if asbestos abatement previously took place. EPM recommended testing of oil and water residing within manholes, plus lead shielding on cables, for presence of possible PCB contamination.
3. Asbestos survey of Amtrak Building #2 at 38-38 43rd St (plus other structures at 44th St, 46th St, 48th St, 45 E 49th St, and 50 E 50th St, all to be demolished) in New York City.
4. Oversight of soil and foundation excavations, at Amtrak Sunnyside Yard, which was listed by New York State as a Class II inactive hazardous waste site. Classification of stockpiles.
5. Air monitoring during lead disturbance and abatement of asbestos containing materials (ACM) during cutting of 34 columns at LIRR Yard in Sunnyside, Queens.
6. Air sampling of asbestos abatement and/or lead disturbance, plus project monitoring, during demolition of Amtrak Buildings 1, 2, 5 & 6 in LIC.
7. Air sampling during asbestos abatement, plus project monitoring, during demolition of buildings at 44th St (CM004) and 50 St in Manhattan.

Services:

Monitoring the excavation of contaminated soils, and project/air monitoring during asbestos abatement and/or disturbance of lead containing paint prior to structure demolition.

Challenge:

Encountering possible hazardous atmosphere in deep confined spaces.

Solution:

Testing for noxious gases with handheld multigas meter. If unsafe levels detected, activate ventilation fans (if in vicinity) or withdraw until levels are in safe range.