Skanska, global construction and development firm, recently completed the first phase of the East Midtown Waterfront Esplanade and East River Greenway development along FDR Drive in Manhattan, N.Y. The construction of the in-water structure used advanced environmental and technological innovations.
The 49-month project included the construction of an in-water structure serving as a public esplanade along FDR Drive, and a new public park space spanning approximately nine city blocks to create new, connected, and safe spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy that portion of Manhattan’s waterfront.
Many environmental and technological innovations were implemented, including engineered soil, long-term evolution (LTE), and GPS tracking for construction barges, advanced timelapse cameras, building information modeling (BIM), and underwater drone inspection.
GPS tracking was deployed to monitor construction barge locations and status in real-time, enhancing safety through predetermined geo-zones triggering alerts. In addition, strategically positioned advanced timelapse cameras and underwater drones equipped with cameras and sensors contributed to ongoing safety and longevity of the project by documenting progress, monitoring the work environment, and inspecting submerged structures for any defects and erosion.
To fortify the element of environmental resilience, engineered soil was placed within Silva cells to collect stormwater and nurture newly planted trees, post-planting, the use of certified compost for soil enhancement, recycling local organic materials, and reintroducing vital nutrients were all active project components.
The project, awarded to Skanska by New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) in 2019, is part of a larger East River Waterfront esplanade vision that will stretch 22 blocks and fill a major gap in the 51-km (32-mile) Manhattan Waterfront Greenway upon completion.
