East Side Access Manhattan Structures
- Client: MTA Capital Construction
- Location: New York, NY
- Project Value: $734,000,000
Description:
The MTA’s East Side Access project will connect the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Main and Port Washington Lines in Queens into a new LIRR terminal beneath Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. The new connection will increase the LIRR’s capacity into Manhattan and dramatically reduce commute time for 270,000 daily passengers.
Judlau, as part of a Joint Venture, is currently excavating the caverns that will eventually function as the new Long Island Rail Road platforms and mezzanine below Grand Central Terminal.
The contract also includes the excavation and lining of both cross passages and central instrument locations (CIL). Excavation is done utilizing state-of-the-art Road-Headers, as well as drill and blast techniques. All excavated material is removed on a conveyor system, which stretches up to three-miles.
Judlau has performed the jacking of Grand Central Terminal to allow for the removal of existing columns and the construction and erection of columns and critical beams.
At the suburban level of Grand Central Station, we performed several load transfer operations, at times supporting Grand Central Station itself, as well as the Met-Life and Helmsley Building.
Scope of Work includes:
- Over 400,000cy of cavern excavation.
- Installation of more than 25,000 tons of Arch Reinforcement Steel.
- Over 1,200 tons of shaft and elevator rebar.
- Excavation and concrete lining of five shafts and four escalator ways.
Related Projects
Involved upgrading the structural and safety features of the station, while significantly improving the aesthetics. more info »
Judlau will convert the one-sided upper and lower level platforms into island platforms. more info »
The East Side Access project will bring the Long Island Rail Road into a new terminal beneath Grand Central Terminal. more info »


