Kew Gardens Interchange

New York City is a bustling metropolis, both in people and in infrastructure. When Nicholson Construction Company first received bid documents for a major interchange contract on the Van Wyck Expressway (Interstate 678) in the Kew Gardens section of Queens, New York, they turned to Con-Tech Systems Ltd. for a competitive price, quality materials, and timely delivery on the anchor portion of the work. The $160 million project, included temporary and permanent strand tiebacks on one of the busiest thoroughfares in New York City. I-678 runs north to south from the Whitestone Bridge to John F. Kennedy Airport carrying over 160,000 cars daily, accounting for 8% of New York City’s peak traffic volume. 

Once Nicholson was awarded the project after the bid process and revisions, they contacted the CTS team and gave the green light to begin producing the strand anchors. Over a series of releases, Con-Tech pushed over 46,000 linear feet of strand cable into 237 temporary and permanent strand anchors in 3, 4, and 5 strand configurations. The tiebacks were up to 61 feet in length. Like the City, most major infrastructure projects are subject to numerous changes over the life of the job. According to Justin Lukens, Asst. Project Manager, “Con-Tech was able to meet and exceed Nicholson’s needs on a job with a very demanding and uncertain schedule. (They) delivered on time, on budget, quality materials in order to meet our needs.” CTS was repeatedly called on to meet changing deadlines and also changes to the original anchor plans. Con-Tech Systems Ltd. would like to sincerely thank Nicholson Construction Company for awarding us this project.

At a Glance:
Owner: NYS DOT
Contractor: Nicholson Construction Company (a subsidiary of SOLETANCHE BACHY)
Project Location: Queens, New York
Project Start Date: April 2011
Project Completion: ongoing, Summer 2013 for anchor portion; 2016 anticipated project end
CTS materials used:
·         Con-Tech Systems Ltd. DCP and SCP strand anchors
·         Con-Tech Systems Ltd. Strand hardware