Westbury – Highlights on Upcoming Construction

Westbury:

The LIRR Expansion Project from Floral Park to Hicksville, one of the region’s most significant transportation infrastructure projects, is now underway throughout the communities along a nearly ten mile stretch of mainline track.

During the month of June, you will see construction crews performing work in Westbury. Specifically, there will be crews performing soil stability surveys and cone penetration tests; taking geographic surveys of the roads around and near the rail road; clearing overgrown vegetation; digging test pits to locate existing underground utilities; and conducting pre-construction inspections of the existing conditions of structures surrounding worksites. By way of explanation:

Cone Penetration Testing (CPT)

• CPT provides an effective way to see the composition of the soil in a particular area
• Enclosed inside of a box truck, electronic equipment takes electronic/sonar readings
• CPT takes less time, allowing for tests to be run at multiple locations in one day
• The results of the surveys/tests allow for the design team to determine what methods, material and design they can incorporate into the project

Existing Roadway Surveys

• A specially equipped van is driven to specific points to video and photograph the condition of the existing roadways, prior to construction beginning
• The survey is conducted to ensure the roadways are protected in the unlikely event of any damage

Existing Structure Surveys

• Property located within a specified radius of anticipated construction work requires a pre-construction photo inspection
• The survey is conducted to ensure the property is protected in the unlikely event of any damage
• Vibranalysis Inc., an independent consulting firm, will perform the survey
• Inspection consists of photographs and written documentation, recording the existing conditions of the interiors and exteriors of the structures surrounding the site

Soil Stability Survey

• Soil stability surveys provide a more in-depth view of the composition of the soil
• The equipment used is a drill-rig truck
• The drilling rig takes soil samples from down to a depth of 50 feet
• Samples are then sent to a laboratory for review, evaluation and testing
• The results of the surveys/tests allow for the design team to determine what methods, material and design they can incorporate into Third Track construction