Featured Project: Amtrak East River Tunnel project

With four tubes used by three train services, the East River Tunnel is an essential transit route in New York City. Hurricane Sandy heavily damaged two of the 1910 tunnels in 2012, and the structures have been offline since. In order to restore these routes, rehabilitation work is removing the old systemdown to the concrete liners to fully rebuild. Concrete Washout Systems is ensuring the hundreds of gallons of washout being generated are handled in an environmentally appropriate manner.

“This byproduct is caustic—its pH is on par with Drano—and it also contains solids,” explained Roger Haftek, president, Concrete Washout Systems. “Between New York City local law and the Clean Water Act, it’s illegal to direct the washout to the sewer system or even clean out trucks on a job site. Our system not only neutralizes this contaminated water but also diverts solids from the landfill.”

Concrete Washout Systems uses a patented technology that lowers the pH by around 40%, achieving an alkalinity that is approved for sewage treatment. The solids are then captured for use as recycled concrete aggregate for roadbeds.

The enclosed nature of the project also called for a high degree of precision. “Space is limited inside a three-mile tunnel. Because it’s only 9 ft wide, it takes about three hours just to carefully back up an 8-foot-wide truck,” noted Haftek. “It was a difficult process but expertly handled by members of Teamsters Local 282.