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EVALUATION OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND AERIAL TRAMWAY SYSTEM, PHASE 1

EVALUATION OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND
AERIAL TRAMWAY SYSTEM, PHASE 1






Prepared For:

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
591 Main Street
Roosevelt Island, NY 10044

Prepared By:

Thornton Tomasetti
51 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10010

TT Project no. 27398.00

August 2007

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. (TT) was retained by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
(RIOC) to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the existing condition of the Roosevelt Island
Aerial Tramway system.

The evaluation consisted of assessing the general condition of representative primary
architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection components in
order to identify apparent and/or potential problems, if any, with these components, and
identifying potential operational upgrades or improvements to the system.

To assist us in completing our scope of services, TT retained two subconsultants, Hardesty &
Hanover (H&H) and Lucius Pitkin, Inc. (LPI). Their reports are attached as Appendices to this
report. H&Hs work focused on evaluating the mechanical and electrical components of the
tram machinery. LPIs work focused on examining and testing the structural condition of
representative components of the three steel support towers and the tram cars. TTs work
focused on evaluating the primary structural, architectural, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire
protection aspects of the two stations, as well as evaluating the existing structural condition of
the three steel support towers based upon LPIs findings.

Tram Components and Mechanical Systems
H&Hs evaluation of the trams machinery (via on-site visual observations and scientific testing)
indicates that it is in generally good condition and that with appropriate monitoring, inspection,
and maintenance, can be expected to perform reliably for an indefinite period of time. No major
problems or issues were noted at the time of their site visits or reported by tram operating
personnel. Certain system components could not be readily directly accessed during H&Hs
visits and thus warrant further evaluation to confirm their adequacy.

Tram Electrical System
H&Hs evaluation of the trams electrical system indicates that it is in good overall condition and
that maintenance has been exemplary. The partial system upgrade performed in 2006, which
included the addition of a redundant SCR system and the replacement of the auxiliary power
system, have increased the reliability of the tram operation. The system can be expected to
function reliably, with continued maintenance and inspection for an indefinite period of time.
However, it is anticipated that in the next 5 to 10 year period the anticipated reduced availability
of replacement parts will become the limiting factor on the practical lifespan of the system.
Therefore, it would be prudent to plan for replacing the entire electrical system with a new state-
of-the-art electrical system within the aforementioned time frame.

Support Towers
The three structural steel support towers of the tram system were found to be in good condition
and appear capable of continued service for an indefinite period of time provided that
appropriate routine maintenance is carried out. LPI observed and carried out scientific tests on
a representative sample of the towers structural welds and bolted connections (those
accessible from the towers ladders and catwalks) and found no cracks or failed bolts in the
primary structural connections.

Additional inspections of the towers, which would be carried out via rappelling down the towers
(so that the portions of the structure away from the towers catwalks and ladders can be
evaluated), are warranted and recommended. Certain routine maintenance, such as cleaning of

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the towers weep holes, should be carried out to reduce the likelihood of corrosion damage
resulting from standing water on the tower steel. Other recommended repairs include repair of
spacer welds and repair of localized concrete cracking/spalling at the base of some of the tower
legs. The concrete cracking/spalling warrants further investigative work, including probes, so
that an appropriate repair design can be developed and implemented as part of the tram
systems routine scheduled maintenance work.

Manhattan and Roosevelt Island Stations
Our review of representative primary components of the stations architectural, structural,
HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems did not reveal any imminent life safety hazards or a
need for any immediate repairs of a significant nature. We found that the structure of the
stations appears sound and capable of continued service for an indefinite period provided that
appropriate routine maintenance is carried out. We observed a number of wear and tear type
issues, such as peeling paint, roof leaks, air conditioning complaints, and similar issues that one
might expect in a 30-plus year old facility partially exposed to the elements. Each of these wear
and tear issues can be addressed in an orderly manner as part of the stations routine
maintenance plans. Certain deterioration observed, such as localized concrete cracking and
spalling at various locations, warrants further investigative work prior to design and
implementation of repairs.

Potential Tram System Upgrades
It should be noted that upgrades to the existing tram system, such as providing faster station-to-
station travel speeds to accommodate anticipated future needs such as increased ridership, are
potentially feasible by upgrading certain system components. Once the desired criteria for any
such upgrades are established, studies can be performed to confirm the feasibility of the
upgrade and to develop anticipated budgetary costs associated with the upgrade.



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE & COVER


PAGE 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY







PAGE 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS


PAGE 4
INTRODUCTION


PAGE 5
DESCRIPTION OF THE AEIRIAL TRAMWAY SYSTEM


PAGE 5
SCOPE OF SERVICES


PAGE 5
MANHATTAN STATION


PAGE 7
ROOSEVELT ISLAND STATION


PAGE 18
TRAMWAY SUPPORT TOWERS


PAGE 29
TRAM SYSTEM COMPONENTS AND MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS PAGE 34

POTENTIAL STATION UPGRADES





PAGE 36
APPENDIX 1 PHOTOGRAPHS & KEY PLANS

APPENDIX 2 EVALUATION OF ROOSEVELT ISLAND TRAM
by Lucius Pitkin, Inc.
APPENDIX 3 MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS INSPECTION REPORT
by Hardesty & Hanover




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INTRODUCTION

Thornton Tomasetti, Inc. (TT) was retained by the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
(RIOC) to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the existing condition of the Roosevelt Island
Aerial Tramway system.

The evaluation consisted of assessing the general condition of representative primary
architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection components in
order to identify apparent and/or potential problems, if any, with these components, and
identifying potential operational upgrades or improvements to the system.

Our staff of engineers, architects and consultants evaluated the tram stations, tram cars,
machine rooms and towers during July 2007 and prepared this report based on our cumulative
observations and evaluation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE AERIAL TRAMWAY SYSTEM

The Roosevelt Island Aerial Tramway is a component of the New York City mass transit system.
It connects Manhattan and Roosevelt Island via cable-suspended tram cars that traverse the
skyline adjacent to the Queensborough Bridge. It consists of two stations (one located in
Manhattan and the other on Roosevelt Island), three support towers