Haugland Energy (HE) is currently serving as a subcontractor for L.K. Comstock & Company Inc. on their contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to add a second track on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Main Line Ronkonkoma Branch between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, NY. This project is part of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s $6.6 billion transformation and modernization of commuter rails initiative on Long Island. Due to the high visibility and magnitude of this infusion to Long Island’s infrastructure, the project has been monitored closely by the Governor, prompting him to make frequent visits to the work sites, calling the LIRR the “backbone of the region’s economy” during a recent visit.

HE’s contract to supply and install all overhead and underground electrical work adjacent to the existing live track began in August 2017, and is scheduled to be complete in August 2018. The aggressive timeline of this project, paired with the need to complete the work without causing any interruption to one of the busiest commuter train systems in America posed challenges. Haugland Energy’s team performed these system upgrades and expansions with precision, resulting in the project being poised for completion ahead of schedule. This project is the first time that the LIRR has contracted an outside organization to perform system upgrades and expansion.

Due to HE’s extensive breadth of expertise, its initial contract award was increased with an expanded scope of work. A unique working relationship with Haugland Group affiliate company, Grace Industries, allowed HE to quickly and efficiently fulfill all expanded project requirements. HE’s scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

  • Installation of 470 35’ timber poles
  • 13 miles of Messenger Wire for Communications, Fiber, and Signals with support and grounding hardware
  • Removal and replacement of existing sub ballast when installing conduits beneath live track
  • Exposed RGS and PVC conduit
  • 14 Grade crossings
  • Buried hand holes
  • Crossings and signals
  • Excavation for signal, communication and traction power conduit installation
  • Form and pour concrete pedestals for traction power
  • Installation of signal and wayside equipment, including all connections of conduits and cables
  • Utility mark-outs
  • 72 strand Fiber Optic and 25 pair copper express cables on messenger, splicing, snowshoes and testing
  • 36 strand Fiber Optic and 25 pair copper local drop cables, terminations and testing
  • 37 conductor #14 and 2 conductor #1/0 Signal cable on messenger
  • PSEG Metered Power Drops

Grace Industries provided civil support to HE, and is well versed with the safety requirements and procedures associated with working with the LIRR adjacent to live tracks. Grace performed all work under scrutiny and support of LIRR flag persons; supported operations include:

  • Conduit excavation and backfill for all signal, communication and electrical cabling, including cross track digs on live track and gap jumper conduit at grade crossings
  • Test Pits
  • Full depth asphalt restoration at roadway grade crossings
  • Installation of assembly house foundations for 10×40, 8×20 and 8×14 house & signal hut foundations, and 8×10 Battery Hut enclosures
  • Excavation for Cable Vaults
  • Excavation and Installation of:
    • TM-14 transformer vaults
    • CM-11 manhole splice vaults
    • precast signal and gate foundations
    • cable troughs

The addition of this second track will enable the LIRR to increase the frequency of their service on the Ronkonkoma line, including improved service to Long Island’s MacArthur Airport.