Livingston Avenue Bridge
120-Year-Old Swing-Span Truss Bridge Replacement
Azar Design Co is collaborating with HNTB to design the new Livingston Avenue Bridge, a critical part of the Empire Corridor rail network as the only upstate passenger rail crossing of the Hudson River. The $634.8M NYSDOT project replaces the existing two-track bridge rebuilt in 1901 on it’s original piles from 1865.
The new seven-span lift-type structure will meet modern standards for height, width and speed, allowing for increased freight loads and the ability for two passenger trains to cross simultaneously. Scope of the design-build project includes replacement of the bridge with the addition of a movable two-track vertical lift railroad bridge.
The project also features new railroad signals; implementation of electrical infrastructure; bridge and navigation lighting, and realignment and improvements to the WYE tracks east of the bridge in Rensselaer. Additional design details include a pedestrian and cyclist shared-use path, providing seamless connections to the Albany Skyway, the Empire State Trail, and the future Rensselaer Riverwalk.
Azar’s architectural scope of the design-build project includes replacement of the bridge with the addition of a movable two-track vertical lift railroad bridge. Azar’s architects designed the mechanical house for construction in place on top of the lift span to protect bridge maneuvering mechanicals. Additionally, a pre-assembled operator house was designed to be lifted into place on top of a bridge tower.
Azar’s survey crew performed extensive survey control work including topography, terrestrial laser scanning, bridge structural surveys and rail alignment surveys.
Rendering courtesy of NYSDOT.
LiDAR scan of existing bridge structure.