In+Motion Spring 2020 Vol 27 No 1

Innovation unfolding for New York/New Jersey AirTrain Systems

NEW YORK — Replacing the aging monorail system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) coupled with developing a new automated train at LaGuardia Airport is keeping the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) at the forefront of passenger transport innovation. Lea+Elliott is the prime consultant leading the planning, preliminary design, and procurement documents for the $2 billion AirTrain Newark Replacement Project. We began conceptional planning in 2011 by modeling forecasted passenger demands, future airport development phasing, and creating and evaluating replacement options for the AirTrain. Now, we are leading a diverse team developing the procurement documents for both the AirTrain facilities and systems. The

Members of the AirTrain Newark and LGA AirTrain teams Image credit: L+E

currently in planning and going through a federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. A Program Briefing Book was issued to the industry in December 2019. Issuance of an RFQ is expected later this year followed by the issuance of an RFP to qualified industry teams. Lea+Elliott’s role, as a subconsultant to WSP, includes preparing a train system technology assessment report; performing system capacity analyses for alternative alignments; providing input and responses to EIS questions and comments; preparing performance specifications for the vehicles, automatic train control system, testing and commissioning; and developing the operations and maintenance provisions and cost estimates. Lea+Elliott has had a long and successful history with the Port Authority; we began working with them in 1984 on what is now the AirTrain JFK. We have also been working almost continuously on the AirTrain Newark since its inception.

AirTrain Newark Program will be a Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) contract that includes the AirTrain operating system and fixed facilities. We are refining the preliminary structural and architectural designs for the guideway infrastructure and passenger stations, cost estimates, and construction schedules, and preparing data including a ridership report, property needs analysis and documents for stakeholder coordination. The project has been moving rapidly. A Request for Industry Feedback and Program Briefing Book was issued last November and the review of the Respondents’ qualifications in response to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ), issued in January, is currently underway. The Request for Proposals (RFP) is slated to be issued to qualified industry teams. Across the river (or two), at LaGuardia Airport, we are supporting the Port Authority in the development of a 2.3-mile, elevated, dual lane/track, 3-station automated train system that will connect two new terminal buildings with a Long Island Railroad station and a New York City Transit station. The project is

Meeting the challenges of the current pandemic A message from Lea+Elliott President/CEO Jack Norton

We want to thank our clients and associates who allow us to continue working on important projects to advance their ultimate goals. We are working very hard to keep all our staff on the payroll during this difficult time. Where projects require on-site support, we closely follow the safety procedures that are in place. Nothing is more important than the safety and health of our staff and the clients and friends that we come in contact with. Fortunately, most our staff is able to work from home and to be very effective, thanks to tremendous IT resources and all the latest technology and communications tools. We are ready for the future as our offices are well suited for social distancing and we look forward to the days when this is behind us all. We wish you and yours well during these challenging days.

In Motion

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