AirTrain JFK Light Rail System

AirTrain JFK Light Rail System

Abstract

This paper describes the AirTrain JFK Light Rail System that was nominated as one of five finalists for the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Outstanding Civil Engineering Award.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) constructed an elevated, 8.3 mile (13.4 km), fully automated Light Rail System at a cost of $ 1.9 billion to provide safe, fast, comfortable and convenient means of traveling to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFKIA) and between terminals at the airport.

AirTrain uses light rapid transit technology. It draws power from a third rail. A linear induction motor pushes magnetically against an aluminum strip in the track center.

More than 5,500 150 ton and 200 ton capacity piles were driven to support the 8.3-mile (13.4 km) long guide way structure. The piles support 515 poured in place concrete columns, which support precast-segmental girder guide way on which AirTrain runs. . 6.3 miles (10.1 km) of single-track box girders and 3.2 miles (5.1 km) of double track box girders were constructed incorporating more than 5,000 segments. Seismic isolation was required if the system was to remain readily operable following the design earthquake event. A portion of the light rail system was constructed using cut-and-cover techniques under the airport’s taxiways. Eighty percent of the tunnel is below the water table.

To maintain pace with anticipated growth at JFKIA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) decided to fast track the project. This has been described as the largest scope of work utilizing precast segmental box beams and the Design Build Operate and Maintain (DBOM) project delivery method ever contracted in New York City.