PACO Group as a subconsultant to Jacobs, was awarded a contract to perform engineering services for repair and resiliency projects related to Superstorm Sandy.

Due to the relatively low elevations of the 148th St Yard with respect to the Harlem River, the yard seawall next to the riverfront was recently reconstructed to a higher elevation. The actual water level during Superstorm Sandy reached a reported elevation of 6 inches, just below the crest of the unfinished new walls which are designed for category 1 storm protection. Water entered the yard through gaps in the unfinished walls and damaged power cables, hand switches and duct banks.

To meet the requirements for category 2 storm protection, the project entails raising the recently completed flood walls and extending the flood protection walls for the yard. In addition, the project will also include protection of the tunnels from flooding by installing a protection barrier at the tunnel portal.