Structural Designer
Entuitive
Client Name
Brookfield Properties
Location
New York
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) Architects
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers
Parsons Brinckerhoff/WSP
McNary Bergeron
Turner Construction Role
Rizzani de Eccher Role: Platform Contractor
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The first stage of a commercial project to reclaim 2.6 acres of land over Penn Station, the busiest commuter rail corridor in North America. The platform serves as the foundation for a plaza, public space and office development in west Manhattan.
The project used a single span bridge design approach with deep, post-tensioned concrete box girders, built over 16 rail lines. A massive rolling gantry called ‘the Launcher’ was custom built to lift the assembled spans and drive them into place.
Judge's comment: This is a perfect example of ingenious and effective structural engineering unlocking the potential for massive future development and adding enormous value to the client. Using large bridge technology to launch the precast girders over the railway with minimum disruption to trains was a stroke of genius, and the judges noted how it was this structural solution that made the whole development possible. The judges congratulate the engineers for their vision and courage, and the whole team for the collaboration that enabled the idea turn to reality.
Judge's comment:
This is a perfect example of ingenious and effective structural engineering unlocking the potential for massive future development and adding enormous value to the client. Using large bridge technology to launch the precast girders over the railway with minimum disruption to trains was a stroke of genius, and the judges noted how it was this structural solution that made the whole development possible. The judges congratulate the engineers for their vision and courage, and the whole team for the collaboration that enabled the idea turn to reality.