Adding third track to Long Island Rail Road a high-profile contract

A Chinese construction company is among those that will work on a $1.81 billion project for new third track on the main line of New York's Long Island Rail Road, the US' busiest regional rail system.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority, which oversees the railroad, approved a contract on Dec 13 with 3rd Track Constructors for the 9.8 miles of new track for the rail system east of New York City.

CCA Civil Inc, a unit of China Construction America, is one of several companies that have joined 3rd Track Constructors on the project. The others are Dragados USA Inc, John P. Picone Inc and Halmar International LLC.

China Construction is a unit of China State Construction Engineering Corp, the world's largest investment and construction group by revenue. CCA has completed commercial and government projects in the US, such as the Pulaski Skyway in New Jersey, the Yankee Stadium subway station in New York City and the Staten Island Expressway, which connects Staten Island to both Brooklyn and New Jersey.

Founded in 1985 and based in Jersey City, New Jersey, CCA has around 2,000 employees, 98 percent of whom are US hires. The company provides services such as construction management, general contracting and public-private partnership assistance for public and private clients.

As one of the top three builders in New York and South Florida, the Chinese company also has constructed high-rises in the US, including Madison Square Park Tower in Manhattan and the One Thousand Museum luxury condominium building in downtown Miami.

"The localization strategy has played an important role in gaining a favorable impression from US society," Yuan Ning, president of CCA, said in November.

The new track between the Floral Park and Hicksville stations will be built on existing LIRR property and is part of the rail system's expansion project, which also includes eliminating seven grade crossings, the renovation of several stations and six new parking garages. Construction is expected to begin next year and take up to four years.

The segment of the railway for the new track serves more than 250 trains on a typical weekday and is used by 40 percent of LIRR riders.