Long Island Rail Road Expansion Project from Floral Park to Hicksville – Environmental Impact Statement and Design-Build Phases
The LIRR Expansion Project entails the construction of a third track along a 9.8 mile stretch of the railroad’s heavily traversed Main Line between the Floral Park and Hicksville train stations. The Calladium Group supported the delivery of preliminary engineering and environmental services to the MTA-LIRR and NYSDOT. The project included preparation of an environmental impact statement in accordance with SEQRA, which culminated in a Statement of Findings in April 2017.
The firm has continued its role during the delivery of Project Management Services to MTA Construction & Development (MTACD). We are spearheading an extensive stakeholder outreach program and are involved in every facet of outreach – creating website content, responding to resident’s comments, creating a Community Information Center, facilitating meetings with elected officials, overseeing the design-builder’s team of community ambassadors, developing the project’s innovative STEM program, and implementing the design-builder incentive program.
Portal Bridge Capacity Enhancement Project
NJ Transit and Amtrak have proposed a plan to enhance capacity and improve operation of the Portal Bridge, a rail crossing over the Hackensack River in Hudson County, New Jersey. The existing Portal Bridge is a critical link on the Northeast Corridor, and its timely replacement is essential to increase transit service between New Jersey and New York. The Calladium Group has played a pivotal role in securing several discretionary environmental permits required to construct the new $1.8B Portal North Bridge. The firm is leading the Green Acres parkland diversion approval process, including preparation of the pre-application and final application, and coordinating between the engineering team, the public affairs team, and the park owner. We hosted and facilitated a virtual public hearing to solicit input from the relevant stakeholders. In addition, we have completed several NEPA re-evaluations needed to reaffirm the findings of the project’s EIS.
Metro-North Penn Station Access
MTACD and Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company are proposing to introduce passenger rail service into and out of Pennsylvania Station on Manhattan’s West Side by diverting some New Haven Line trains via Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line. The project entails the design and construction of four new Metro-North train stations in the East Bronx, as well as four bridge replacements, new track, and various power and communication improvements. The Calladium Group supported the prime consultant in the preparation of an Environmental Assessment pursuant to NEPA. FTA issued a FONSI in September 2021. The MTA Board voted to award a Design-Build contract in December 2021.
The Calladium Group led the public involvement for the NEPA process, including developing an effective and inclusive outreach approach, soliciting public and agency comments, and coordinating and executing stakeholder meetings. The firm is currently developing public-friendly bilingual materials, creating engaging and concise presentations, and developing content for the dedicated project website.
NYSDEC Bay Park Conveyance Project
The Bay Park Conveyance Project is a partnership between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the Nassau County Department of Public Works. NYSDEC and NCDPW are improving water quality and storm resiliency in Long Island’s Western Bays by upgrading its existing wastewater management infrastructure. The Calladium Group is spearheading an extensive stakeholder outreach program to keep elected officials, key stakeholders, motorists, and residents apprised of construction information. The firm is supporting the development of a robust Communications and Public Outreach Plan; facilitating public meetings, monthly stakeholder updates, and elected officials meetings; preparing content for presentations, outreach materials (e.g. fact sheets, brochures, postcards, and monthly lookaheads), and the Project website; and responding to stakeholder inquiries.
East End Gateway and LIRR Concourse at Penn Station
The Calladium Group is providing communications support for the significant renovations occurring at the east end of New York’s Pennsylvania Station. This is a major capital investment that more than doubles the ingress/egress into the LIRR Concourse. The Calladium Group develops large-scale banners and digital content for customer information screens – highlighting construction milestones, project benefits, and wayfinding information. The firm works closely with the project’s architects and engineers to collaborate on permanent architectural design elements and to elevate the customer experience. We regularly generate and disseminate content for the project website, newsletters, and social media platforms – ranging from team personnel interviews to time-lapse videos. The firm initiated an innovative partnership with the New York Transit Museum, wherein project representatives hosted a creative and engaging virtual presentation for Transit Quest, a week-long program for neuro-diverse teens.
Additional Case Studies
- MTA Elevate Transit: Zoning for Accessibility
- Empire State Development – Brooklyn Development Center
- Metro-North Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project
- Amtrak Susquehanna River Rail Bridge Project
- Amtrak Connecticut River Bridge Replacement
- NJ TRANSITGRID Traction Power System
- Port Authority Cross Harbor Freight Program
- Amtrak Sawtooth Bridges Replacement Project
- NYCDCP Jerome Avenue Neighborhood Planning Study