Roctest and Smartec are proud to participate in the Canarsie Tunnel rehabilitation project, supplying distributed fiber optic sensors for structural monitoring.

View New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo discuss the progress of the project and the use of fiber optic sensors in this video

The Canarsie Tunnel project

The Canarsie Tunnel, along the L-Line of New York subway network, links Manhattan with Brooklyn. The tunnel was flooded in 2012 during Hurricane Sandy, resulting in damage to electrical cables and the concrete duct banks. The initial refurbishing plans called for a complete closure of the tunnel for 18 months to replace the duct banks and cables, causing significant disruption to L-Train commuters.

Governor Cuomo encouraged MTS to consider innovative alternatives to maintain service during repairs. With the support of Cornell and Columbia University experts, an alternative plan was adopted implementing a new racking system for the power cables and leaving the original benchwall in place where structurally stable. Short sections of the benchwall were demolished and other reinforced in fiber reinforced polymers.

As an additional safety measure distributed “Smart” optical fiber sensor cables were installed long the remaining benchwall to detect and localize future shifts and cracks. MTA selected Smartec and Roctest to supply and implement this advanced fiber optic monitoring system.

Click here for more information on our Tunnel Structural Health Monitoring Systems