This project involved a cyclical condition survey of the Howard Beach Section of the AirTrain Guideway Structure at JFK International Airport. The goal of the inspection was to determine the overall condition of the structure and identify structural and non-structural deficiencies which may present a potential safety hazard. As a subconsultant, SI Engineering, P.C. (SIE) performed a 100% visual and 10% hands-on inspection of the guideway structure.
The inspection included columns, column base plates, anchor bolts, piers, bearings, bearing plates, girders, structural connections, guideway running surfaces, expansion joints, end-of-track over travel buffers, emergency walkways and surface platforms, structural elements of guideway switches, catwalks, and utility supports. The inspection also included the retaining walls, tunnel, and the barrier walls from the Federal Circle Station to the tunnel; all fencing attached to the walls; the Howard Beach retaining walls; and spans of the Jamaica Section adjacent to Rockaway Boulevard and Liberty Avenue. A Condition Survey Report was submitted to the Port Authority, including listings of all recommended repairs for each structure, plans indicating areas of deterioration, overall rating, condition of major structural components, and all other pertinent information.