Featured Projects - Exchange Place

Facilities Description

The PATH Restoration project involves reestablishing Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation (PATH) rail service between New Jersey and downtown New York City. The effort was necessitated by the destruction of the World Trade Center (WTC) on September 11, 2001. This particular part of the larger PATH restoration project included the extension of the underground Exchange Place Station to meet PATH’s future ten-car program. And the reconfiguration of the track crossovers west of Exchange Place Station. Flood damaged Tunnels e and F were also rehabilitated and Tunnel L was upgraded and modified to allow integration in the new crossover and track configuration.

Downtown PATH Restoration is a part of the WTC Cleanup, which was awarded the New York Construction News’ 2002 Construction Project of the Year.

Company’s Role and Performance

The Dr. G. Sauer Corporation (DSC) produced a three dimensional model of station platform extension area and the reconfigured track crossovers to the west of Exchange Place Station. From this model excavation and shotcrete cross section final design drawings at five-foot intervals were derived to allow the contractor the production of cut sheets and thus better control of the excavation work. In areas of lattice girder support DSC produced detailed lattice girder drawings to accelerate the production of shop drawings and avoid delays in manufacturing the support elements.

Throughout design task, DSC coordinated their work closely with the geotechnical engineer on record to develop the intended geometries and verify shotcrete thickness and areas of additional rock support. In addition to coordination with the engineer on record, coordination with the contractor, the contractor’s surveyor’s and lay-out team and the construction management was carried out by DSC to allow a smooth and unimpeded execution of the construction work on this fast track project.

The design task which included the production of over 175 signed and sealed contract drawings was executed within four months time and included nine individual design packages. During this time and during the subsequent execution of the work DSC advised the contractor on excavation method and rock support installation issues to avoid delays due to staging errors.

Major features of the project include:

• Developed three dimensional model of platform extensions and crossovers west of station by utilizing horizontal and vertical alignment and the dynamic envelope of typical PATH trains
• Produced and distributed 185 signed and sealed drawings in four months time for use by contractor and rock support element manufacturer
• Developed template for utility plan to allow integration of duct banks and wall mounted utilities for coordination with train clearance envelope
• Site visits to advise construction management team on necessary design changes in order to minimize scheduling impacts