Robinson Aerial Surveys, Inc. (RAS) prepared topographic base mapping for the East Side Access/LIRR Grand Central Connection Project. This project was a major $4 Billion MTA/LIRR Transportation project which will provide a vital rail link from Queens to Manhattan. The East Side Access Project extends from Sunnyside Yard Queens, NY under the East River via the existing 63rd Street Tunnel into Manhattan, continuing via a proposed tunnel under Park Avenue to the Grand Central Terminal. This project involved the design of two miles of tunnels, a new station and a rail yard, ten new tracks, five new platforms and the rehabilitation of 20 bridges. This site serves the MTA, NJ Transit, Metro North, LIRR and the Amtrak railroads.
Robinson Aerial Surveys, Inc. obtained Low Altitude Mapping Photography (LAMP) at 1”=100’ to produce topographic mapping at 1”=20’ scale with one-foot contour intervals in MicroStation. The use of low altitude photography provided the highly accurate base mapping. The design team met the goals of this significant transportation project effectively by utilizing this base mapping and the resultant digital terrain model (DTM).
