High Tech Wings - the JFK Light Rail Structure

ENR has labeled it as “Organized Chaos”. Undoubtedly so, the construction of the JFK Light Rail System (LRS), better known as the “AirTrain”, has stealthily advanced amidst New York City’s most congested arteries, and amidst one of the world’s busiest airports. The choreographed sequence of construction, which required the work operations to occur during the non-peak traffic hours, such as nights, weekends, and limited day hours, and the stoppage of work operations required when operating near flight paths during periods of limited visibility for air traffic, or during visits of high governmental officials, and foreign dignitaries, had classified the construction of the guide-way structure as being of secondary importance to the city’s vehicular demands, and more so, of secondary importance to the demands of the airport’s hectic operations. Nevertheless, the eight-mile long structure was brought to completion within a two-year design and construction period. This is a considerable achievement, however, when we take into account the effort that the management team has afforded, when at its inception, the project had been confronted by a strong political and public opposition, which significantly affected the project’s progression by bringing about drastic changes to the guide-way’s alignment, and to the facilities which interfaced with the community. All the same, the project has emerged as a state of the art structure, incorporating some of the industry’s latest technological ideas, and exhibiting an enticing architectural statement.

• Corporate Authors:

  Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania

  337 Fourth Avenue
  Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15222
• Authors:
  • Taddeo, Tony
• Conference:
  • Vital Links in Securing Our Mobility. 2002 International Bridge Conference. 19th Annual IBC
  • Location: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, United States
  • Date: 2002-6-10 to 2002-6-12
• Publication Date: 2002

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Pagination: 2p
• Monograph Title: Vital Links in Securing Our Mobility. 2002 International Bridge Conference. Official Proceedings of the 19th Annual IBC

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air traffic; Air transportation; Alignment; Construction projects; Guideways; Light rail transit; Road construction
• Identifier Terms: John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Highways; Terminals and Facilities; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01087811
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: IBC-02-39
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 2008 7:35AM