Paterson Viaduct Restoration and Accessibility
Project
Paterson, New Jersey
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Viaduct
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Paterson Viaduct Restoration Project. |
The Viaduct Restoration and Accessibility Project includes the
rehabilitation of 20 concrete viaduct spans, the reconstruction
of train platforms to comply with ADA criteria, and construction
of other accessibility upgrades at the Paterson train station in
Paterson, New Jersey.
Originally constructed between 1924 and 1931 as part of Erie Railroad’s
grade crossing elimination program, the project location includes
four separate bridge structures composing a concrete viaduct that
is 20 spans long and measures 868 feet. The viaduct is characterized
by classically detailed concrete with four blank arches and a rectangular
recess on both sides of each span.
Concrete Design Criteria
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Rehabilitation of the concrete structure
included replication of the existing concrete. |
Since the four bridges spanning the Paterson Viaduct are eligible
for the National Register of Historic Places, restoration of the
Viaduct needed to follow the guidelines of the New Jersey State
Historic Preservation Office (NJSHPO); the concrete mixes used in
the restoration work had to replicate the existing concrete, and
be approved by the NJSHPO. To this end, NJ Transit hired a conservator
to take samples and analyze the concrete and painted exposed steel.
The conservator also had to analyze original concrete samples to
determine type and construction, develop replication concrete mixes,
produce a written report containing all findings and concrete replication
mixes, collect paint samples of existing exposed steel, analyze
original paint samples, develop replication paint mixes, and produce
a written report containing all findings and paint replication mixes.
The report submitted by the conservator included concrete mixes
with recommended sands, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, cements,
and pigments along with a list of suppliers in the area. This report
was converted into a specification that became part of the contract
documents for bidding.
Platforms and Walkways
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Rehabilitation of the walkway spaces
were part of the project. |
The station, owned and operated by NJ Transit, consists of a 1200-foot-long
low-level island platform on the viaduct. The island platform serves
two tracks, one on either side of the platform. Project work included
the removal of the existing low-level island platform, construction
of a new high-level island platform, removal of the existing canopy
structure and its reinstallation onto the new high-level platform,
and construction of an ADA-compliant elevator from street level
to the new high-level platform.
Consistent with the NJ Transit Arts in Transit Program, some of
the walkways were designed and constructed following an artistic
design with the theme of “River Ribbons,” which represents
the Paterson’s Great Falls and the city’s old nickname
“Silk City.”
The project was completed in September 2001, and the total project
cost was $8 million.
Project Credits
Location: Paterson, New Jersey
Owner: New Jersey Transit
Engineer: New Jersey Transit
Contractor: Railroad Construction Company, Inc.
Concrete Supplier: County Concrete Corp.
Precaster: Concrete Safety Systems
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