George Washington Bridge Bus Station Renovation

Project Description

The George Washington Bridge (GWB) Bus Station first opened to the public January 17, 1963, replacing a number of sidewalk bus loading areas in the Washington Heights section of upper Manhattan. The bus station provided convenient facilities for bus passengers; however, the station recently needed a transformation into a modern transit and retail hub. The project upgraded and consolidated bus operations and provided easier movement with elevators and escalators connecting all levels as well as ADA-compliant bus gates.

The PANYNJ GWB Bus Station is located between 178th Street and 179th Street and Ft. Washington Avenue and Wadsworth Avenue. These streets are lined with noise-sensitive receptors, including high-rise residential apartment buildings, schools and churches, and construction operations were planned day and night on both weekdays and weekends. As such, PANYNJ requested assistance from Paul Carpenter Associates, Inc. (PCA) to inspect contractor mitigation measures and document and report construction-related noise levels via daily Noise Control Officers (NCO). NCOs were also requested for overnight and weekend shifts to monitor noise levels during the most sensitive time periods for the surrounding community.

Since noise level limits had not been established within contract specifications, the PANYNJ requested PCA determine contractor compliance with the provisions established within the NYC Noise Code (Local Law 113). Mitigation measures were inspected for compliance with the code, and daytime Lmax noise levels were documented by the on-site NCO. During overnight hours and on weekends, NCOs documented instantaneous background noise levels throughout the night during breaks in construction activities and notified PANYNJ inspectors if construction-related noise levels exceeded 8 dBA over background, in accordance with NYC Noise Code. PCA project managers periodically inspected mitigation and recommended additional measures or notified PANYNJ if equipment was identified on site by NCOs if equipment being utilized did not comply with the contractor's mitigation plan. Field reports were submitted to the PANYNJ at the end of each NCO shift.