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Atlantic Yards

How do you set the stage for a new arena in a jam-packed city?

  • 9

    Subway Lines

  • 9K

    Subway Riders

  • $150M

    Construction Value

  • Brooklyn, New York

    Brooklyn, New York

Laying the foundation for the Atlantic Yards Development

When the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets decided to call Brooklyn’s new Barclays Center home, the community needed a major infrastructure facelift. Our team partnered with project sponsor, Forest City Ratner Companies, to design a new subway entrance, vehicular bridge, and other improvements to accommodate the arena. These upgrades now make it easier to get to and from one of the country’s busiest—and hippest—neighborhoods.

Nine subway lines run through the station carrying tourists, shoppers, and sports fans to their various destinations. Over 66% of Brooklyn residents commute by public transit daily. And on game days, the Barclays Center Station can accommodate the 9,000 extra riders taking the subway.

Using our design as a guide, the construction team moved in equipment, switched over utilities, and rebuilt a bridge after dusk. By saving the big work for the wee hours, we could keep Brooklyn up and running.

Making way for the new arena meant reconfiguring the active Long Island Rail Road tracks that lead into the underground station. These tracks carry some of the busiest commuter rail lines in the country: up to 20 trains enter and leave the rail yard on any given day.

Part of the design involved reconstructing the Carlton Avenue Bridge to provide enough clearance for trains in the newly reconfigured rail yard. The catch? The trains had to keep running throughout bridge construction. The plan called for excavation on the north side of the yard and a rebuild of half the bridge. This would allow the trains to use the tracks on the other side. Once that half was complete, the whole thing would get flipped. Excavation would take place on the south side while construction would happen on the other half of the bridge.

At a Glance

Offices

Keep it moving

To call building a new subway entrance in the heart of Brooklyn neighborhood "complex" would be an understatement. But the Barclay's Center station successfully brings people right to the stadium's doorstep.

Meet Our Team

Stuart Lerner, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - North America

As a frequent user of all forms of transportation, I have a great appreciation for the evolution of transportation and how it will be sustainable for the next generation.
Stuart Lerner Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - North America Read More

Susan Walter, Executive Vice President, Infrastructure - North America

My favorite part of working on complex engineering projects is collaborating with the entire team—engineers, contractors, owners, and clients.
Susan Walter Executive Vice President, Infrastructure - North America Read More

Christopher Yorlano, Principal

I apply my knowledge as a commuter to my transportation work to ensure that the public enjoys the same quality commuting experience as I do.

Qingquan (April) Wu, Associate, Senior Civil Engineer

Designing a better, safer, and more efficient roadway environment for all users has been the most rewarding part of my career.

Eric Wong, Structural Engineer

What makes our team successful is our open-minded and innovative approach to providing solutions for the communities that we are a part of.

Greg Sprich, Principal, Civil Engineer

It’s our goal to provide excellent customer service. Our clients can depend on us to listen, communicate, and ultimately deliver a quality product.

Robert Minicucci, Senior Associate

Teaching others by example is the best way to pass on experience and good habits.

Stuart Lerner

Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - North America

Susan Walter

Executive Vice President, Infrastructure - North America

Christopher Yorlano

Principal

Qingquan (April) Wu

Associate, Senior Civil Engineer

Eric Wong

Structural Engineer

Greg Sprich

Principal, Civil Engineer

Robert Minicucci

Senior Associate

We’re better together

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  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

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