Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Goethals Bridge Replacement

Arora Engineers, Inc. (Arora) provided fire protection design services as a subconsultant to Parsons Corporation in connection with the Kiewit/Weeks/Massman (KWM) design/ build team for the replacement of the historic Goethals bridge. The project replaced the existing structure which spans the Arthur Kill River on I-278 connecting Elizabeth, NJ with Staten Island, NY. The existing bridge was in service since the 1920s and will be replaced by new dual spans. The original bridge was demolished once construction was completed.

SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDED:

Arora’s scope of work featured fire protection design services for the new Goethals Bridge communications systems, primary and secondary electrical systems, and fire pump rooms housed within the bridge utility structures and generator enclosures. These systems include the fire pumps that feed the bridge standpipe system and fire protection systems required to protect the utility and generator structures. Due to the critical nature of the equipment within these structures the use of clean agent as well as pre-action sprinkler protection was utilized for areas with water-sensitive equipment.

The scope of work also included the design of a dual fire pump system to provide redundant service to the bridge standpipe system. The project design met the requirements of NFPA 13, NFPA 14, NFPA 20 as well as those of the emergency response agencies located in both New York and New Jersey. The fire pumps and supply piping were sized to meet the 10-fill time requirement per NFPA 502.

The utility structure fire protection systems included both wet and pre-action sprinkler systems for the mechanical and electrical spaces as well as clean agent suppression systems for the sensitive communications rooms. Upon completion of the project design documents, Arora provided services during the construction phase in the form of submittal reviews and site surveys.