Platform Over Train Tracks Completed In New Manhattan West Neighborhood
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - It took two years and $240 million, but the platform to cover train tracks in the new neighborhood known as Manhattan West has been completed.
The two-acre platform located between 9th and 10th avenues between 31st and 33rd streets is bigger than Bryant Park and was built over active Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit tracks, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
Platform Over Train Tracks Completed In New Manhattan West Neighborhood
"And really the complexity of this particular project was the operating railroad below us. So we were able to marry heavy construction with the operation of the railroads in order to accomplish this feat," Manhattan West Construction Vice President Henry Caso told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.
Caso says they constructed a series of massive 240-foot-long bridges and placed them side-by-side to span and cover the rail yard.
"Each one of these bridges, and there are 16 bridges, weighs about 2,400 tons," he said.
Four new skyscrapers will surround the public access platform but will be anchored in Manhattan bedrock, Lamb reported.
Manhattan West will fill the block between Tenth and Ninth avenues with three towers, a public plaza and walkway, shops, garages and a hotel.
Tenants have yet to be announced.
Construction of the first office tower can start now that the platform is finished.
Across Tenth Avenue from Manhattan West, another platform will cover the Hudson Yards for an even larger development. Together the two complexes will have 17 high-rise buildings with 22 million-square-feet of space.
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