Nathan Comstock, PE, CCM

MTA C&D, Project Management Consultant Services for the Park Avenue Viaduct The Park Avenue Viaduct has been a cornerstone of New York’s rail network for over a century. This 130-year-old elevated structure carries four third-rail-powered tracks along Park Avenue from East 97th Street to the Harlem River Lift Bridge—a 1.2-mile corridor used by 98% of all Metro-North Railroad (MNR) trains. Trains from the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven Lines all converge just north of the viaduct, making this stretch of infrastructure one of the most critical links supporting service to New York City. After more than a century of service, the existing viaduct was “well past its useful life” and required a new structure that can “serve the region for another hundred years,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. The new Park Avenue Viaduct will ensure safe, reliable Metro-North service, maintain essential connections to Harlem-125th Street Station and Grand Central Terminal, and support local businesses and neighborhoods. SIE is providing project management and construction management, bridge inspection, quality compliance, and community outreach services for this major design-build effort. Phase 1 involves the complete replacement of the viaduct from Bent 21 to Bent 53, between East 115th and East 123rd Streets in Harlem. This initial phase has recently opened to service, marking a major milestone for the project, and Phase II is now underway under the same contract. Collectively, the work will enhance safety, improve long-term service reliability, reduce noise and vibration impacts for surrounding residents, and deliver streetscape improvements, pedestrian-safety enhancements, and a permanent public art installation at 116th Street. SIE is proud to play a key role in modernizing this vital piece of New York City infrastructure. Contributing to a project of this scale and significance reflects our ongoing commitment to improving mobility, strengthening communities, and supporting the region’s growth. By delivering a safer, more resilient viaduct and a more welcoming streetscape, this project will enhance neighborhood quality of life, improve access for local residents and businesses, and ensure the greater NYC community benefits from reliable transit connections for generations to come.

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New York is breaking ground on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in state history, from tunnels capped with green space to highways being completely reimagined. NYSDOT has had over $34 billion in capital investment and mega projects like the I-81 Viaduct and Kensington Expressway are well underway. https://lnkd.in/eyqxaZiz

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The Cross Bronx Bridges Project seeks to upgrade and replace bridges between Boston Road and Rosedale Avenue. While we understand the NYS Department of Transportation's responsibility in maintaining a state of good repair, RPA cannot support any of the current options as presented — they will impact decades of investment and advocacy in protecting the Bronx River and will lessen the quality of life for local residents. Read RPA's full testimony on the project, from Tiffany-Ann Taylor, on RPA's website: https://bit.ly/44t8Pty

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🚧  𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐈-81 𝐕𝐢𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 🏙️ One of the most significant infrastructure transformations in Upstate New York is now in motion — the removal of the I-81 viaduct in Syracuse. This long-awaited project aims to reconnect communities, reverse decades of urban division, and revitalize the heart of the city. Project Highlights: 🌉 Demolition of the aging I-81 elevated viaduct, which has split Syracuse’s urban core for over 50 years — a major step toward reuniting neighborhoods and creating a more accessible city. 📆 Part of a broader $2.25B+, eight-project initiative from NYSDOT to modernize the region’s transportation infrastructure. 🔨 Current Contract: Value: $251M Contractor: Salt City Constructors — a powerhouse JV of L&T Construction (Lancaster Development, Inc. & Tully Group), D.A. Collins Family of Companies, and Cold Spring Construction Co. Start: 2022 Completion: Targeted for 2027 This JV is also managing two other key components: 🔺 $300M reconstruction of the I-81/I-481 interchange 🔻 $220M business loop consolidation project (BL 81) The end goal? A community grid that will replace the elevated highway with surface-level streets — improving connectivity, walkability, equity, and long-term economic opportunity for Syracuse residents. This isn't just a highway project — it's an urban renewal mission with national implications. #I81Viaduct #Syracuse #NYSDOT #SaltCityConstructors #InfrastructureReform #UrbanRevitalization #CommunityGrid #HeavyCivil #Transportation #WSP #UpstateNY #DOTProjects #ConstructionNews #CityPlanning

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Looking forward to presenting at the WTS Philadelphia & ASHE Delaware Valley March Dinner Meeting with Melissa Chapman, PE and David Leymeister on Conrail’s Point-No-Point Bridge Replacement Project. This project represents a significant investment in maintaining and modernizing critical rail infrastructure. Excited to connect with fellow engineers and transportation professionals and continue the conversation around resilient, reliable infrastructure. Thank you to WTS Philadelphia and American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) - Delaware Valley Section for the opportunity to speak!

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