New York to Construct $2 Billion Wireless Network

The state is building a $2 billion wireless network to improve communications for emergency responders across the state. Meanwhile, the Triborough Bridge is undergoing a second phase of renovations.

N.Y. Wireless Network Planned

Design is under way on a $2 billion statewide wireless emergency communications network intended to provide 95 percent coverage across the state. The system aims to improve emergency response times for state and local agencies.

The state's Office of Technology - in coordination with the State Police and the state's Chief Information Officer and Office of Homeland Security - has selected M/A Com, a subsidiary of Boston-based Tyco International that specializes in telecommunications systems, to serve as prime contractor. The company will oversee design, construction, and subsequent operation and management of the digital and mobile radio network.

During the 22-month-long design and engineering stage, the contractor will determine the amount of new tower construction necessary. The first task will be a pilot project to assemble systems in two upstate counties, Erie and Chautauqua, to achieve 97 percent communications coverage on state roadways and 95 percent total land coverage. M/A Com would continue with the model in the rest of the state.

The team has selected General Dynamics, a defense and mission-critical technology supplier based in Falls Church, Va., to oversee construction of new tower sites. The effort will include both high- and low-profile radio towers and base shelters in shed-type construction. The General Dynamics contract is valued at $100 million.

The entire wireless system is expected to be operational within five years.

N.J. Solar Electric Unit Unveiled

A water utility plant has completed installation of New Jersey's largest ground-mounted solar electric system.

New Jersey American Water, which serves more than 2 million residents in 176 communities across the state, has installed a 500-KW solar energy system at its plant in Somerset. Dome-Tech Solar, an energy and technical services consultant and project developer based in Edison, N.J., designed and built the system.

The network of 2,800 solar panels fabricated by German manufacturer RWE SCHOTT Solar is expected to result in about $125,000 in energy savings annually for the utility. It will also supplement 15 percent of peak usage power needed to run the plant.

According to a statement from the utility, the system will pay for itself in about seven years by combining the expected savings with a rebate from the state's Clean Energy Program covering nearly 60 percent of the $3.2 million project budget. The project could lead to solar energy installations at other American Water plants.

New Project for Triborough

Crews started renovation work this fall on the Triborough Bridge, which connects the Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges & Tunnels division awarded a $271 million contract to Koch Skanska of Carteret, N.J., which last year completed a $144 million project replacing decks on the Triborough's suspension span and on its Queens approaches. Koch Skanska is a unit of Skanska USA Civil of Queens.

The current project, expected to finish in 38 months, involves replacement of bridge decking on around 3,500 ft. of the Randall's Island and Wards Island approach viaduct, construction of new access ramps and a pedestrian walkway, and the widening of an existing ramp to Manhattan.

In addition, the contractor will replace bearings, paint the underside of the suspended span and viaduct structure, construct a surface road on Wards Island, and rehabilitate lighting.

New $110 Million Bus Depot

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced that it will build a $110 million bus depot on Staten Island, partly to accommodate a $250 million clean-fuel bus initiative that will replace around 70 percent of the New York City's aging bus fleet.

The new Charleston Depot will comprise 87,000 sq. ft. in a two-story building, with the first floor reserved for around 220 buses and light maintenance shops and the second floor dedicated to offices.

With construction slated for completion in 2008, the MTA was in the process this fall of setting up a request for proposals but had no immediate schedule available, according to an agency spokesman.