Halmar International has successfully completed the first phase of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Park Avenue Viaduct replacement project in New York City — ahead of schedule and $93 million under budget. The $590 million milestone marks significant progress in the overhaul of the 132-year-old structure that supports Metro-North trains traveling into Grand Central Terminal.
Crews replaced 8,240 feet of aging track through 128 bridge installations, a complex feat executed while maintaining daily train operations across the busy East Harlem corridor.
“Today’s milestone demonstrates the transformative work we can get done in New York when we invest in transit,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a statement. “Completing work on an elevated structure that dates back to the Gilded Age ahead of schedule and under budget shows what’s possible when we modernize our infrastructure and put riders first.”
The viaduct, originally constructed in the late 19th century, carries four Metro-North tracks and supports 98% of the railroad’s daily service, connecting commuters from the Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess counties, and Connecticut to Grand Central Terminal. The project is a key component of the Grand Central Artery, which also includes the historic train shed and Park Avenue Tunnel — all over a century old.
Halmar’s design-build team utilized a custom-engineered gantry system that allowed crews to lift and replace massive 190,000-pound prefabricated bridge sections over just 19 weekends between June 2024 and early 2025. The method enabled the project to progress without major service interruptions — a critical factor for one of the busiest commuter corridors in the country.
This innovation emerged during the design-build procurement phase with the MTA, which encouraged the contractor to propose alternative construction strategies to minimize disruptions. The collaboration significantly reduced construction timelines and improved cost efficiency.
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The $590 million first phase, funded largely by $500.9 million in federal support, included replacement of both the viaduct’s substructure and superstructure between East 115th and East 123rd streets, as well as installation of new track, power, communications, and signal systems.
While the superstructure work for Phase 1 is complete, crews will continue refining track systems and power components through winter, with substantial completion expected in April 2026. The next stage — Phase 2 — extends from East 127th Street to East 132nd Street and began in May 2024, targeting September 2027 for completion.
The entire Park Avenue Viaduct project is designed to enhance safety, reliability, and resiliency for Metro-North commuters, supporting New York’s long-term transit modernization goals.
Officials say the early and under-budget delivery of Phase 1 sets a new precedent for large-scale infrastructure work in New York City. The MTA and Halmar’s collaboration demonstrates the potential of modern design-build procurement methods to accelerate project delivery and reduce costs without sacrificing quality or safety.
Once all phases are complete, the Park Avenue Viaduct will provide a stronger, more efficient rail artery for millions of riders annually, ensuring the century-old structure remains a vital link in the region’s commuter network.
Originally reported by Sebastian Obando in Construction Dive.
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