The Long Island Railroad (LIRR), which connects Long Island, Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, is one of the busiest commuter railroads in the U.S., transporting 91 million people in 2019, which set a 70-year record. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, LIRR has maintained operation to transport essential workers who need commuting services, ensuring the smooth functioning of the city. In order to guarantee the normal operation of this anti-pandemic lifeline in New York, China Construction America (CCA)’s LIRR Expansion Project team has, alongside essential workers from other industries, taken scientific pandemic control measures to hold its positions on the front line and continue work and production.

A joint venture known as 3rd Track Constructors, which includes China Construction America (CCA) Civil Inc., Dragados USA Inc., John P. Picone Inc., and Halmar International LLC, won the bid for the LIRR 3rd Track project in December 2017. At present, the project is focusing on the installation of cables and base stations along the line, the construction of the new track and other railroad systems, as well as improvements and modifications to existing bridges, crossings, train stations, and parking garages. This design-build project is the largest single contract project ever awarded by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), and the scope of contract includes the construction of approximately 16 kilometers of a third track within the existing railroad right-of-way; renovation of the first and the second tracks; improvements related to railroad infrastructure, such as signals, power and communication systems; and expansion of public infrastructure such as water supply and drainage along the line.

CCA’s special task force for COVID-19 control and prevention has focused its work on guaranteeing contract delivery. The project team has taken initiatives to promote the use of video conferencing application software, and has moved part of the project approval and management procedures from offline to online in a timely manner, making it possible for some employees to work from home during the outbreak. From the beginning of March, the project team included anti-pandemic content in the daily morning meeting agenda to disseminate COVID-19 prevention and control information, emphasize the project’s pandemic control requirements, and raise the employee’s personal protection awareness.

The LIRR 3rd Track project is composed of more than 40 small projects, spanning multiple cities and towns, and reaching the local communities. The project team has adopted a series of effective anti-pandemic management measures, including temperature monitoring and entry registration at construction sites, dividing construction workers into smaller shifts, and maintaining social distance, in order to minimize gathering and close contact between people at the construction sites. For those who are limited by the nature of their work, and are therefore unable to maintain a safe social distance, the project management strictly supervises the use of personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, and goggles, and ensures that all COVID-19 prevention and control measures are in place.

Bruce Carnovale, regional manager of CCA Cavil’s LIRR 3rd Track project, has been sticking to his post during the outbreak. He said he appreciates the company’s efforts in deploying sufficient anti-pandemic supplies, and he also would like to thank his colleagues for complying with the company's anti-pandemic arrangements, such as wearing masks when they are asked to do so.

In the face of the raging COVID-19 pandemic, the LIRR 3rd Track project team has the courage to bear social responsibilities, and has been highly appreciated by the project owner, local government departments, and communities along the railroad. With some 200 people working on site every day, the project has not only maintained zero infection case on site, but also minimized the impact of COVID-19 on the project schedule. Carnovale said the joint effort of everyone on the project team has provided solid transportation support to the public health staff and other frontline workers.

CCA Civil will continue to hold its positions on the front line, take proper measures to ensure pandemic control while maintaining production, and stick to the project schedule with quality and efficiency.