< PreviousThese words carry real weight. In an environment where companies can occasionally try to meet the bare minimum in terms of safety, Hudson Meridian is a genuine outlier. The company offers multiple in-house safety initiatives and train- ing to its employees and, as Haass explains, the benefits it brings to the wellbeing of staff is enormous. “While we are a construction management services firm and we utilize con- tractors to perform the physical construction of the projects, we provide training across all trade disciplines to our employ- ees. This enables them to be better prepared, and to provide the necessary support to our trade contractors in the safe performance of their respective work.” For a company of Hudson Meridian’s size, an impressive port- folio of work is expected. However, within this, the company has had a number of standout projects that best showcase the quality of work being completed. One of these is 2401 3rd Avenue in the Bronx. This project is described by Monte as being “a testament to the perseverance of our company”. Beginning right before the pandemic, it is understandably a source of immense pride. This is also in part to the complex challenges the company faced during its completion. With a contractor defaulting mid-way through, Hudson Meridian was tasked with stepping in to finish fabricating both the windows and walls. The project itself consisted of three towers on a podium in Motthaven, The Bronx. Currently, two of the three towers are occupied with the third tower due to reach the market soon. The property has on-site park- ing, 460 rental units and measures an impressive 480,000 gross square feet. Costing around $190 million, the project 10Congratulations Hudson Meridian Construction Group on your continued success as one of the leading north east construction services firms! Free Initial Consultation: (212) 684-0300 E: daniel@riklawfirm.com | riklawfirm.com is “taking a bit longer than we originally scheduled,” Monte explains. However, given the circumstances of its comple- tion, it has been an impressive achievement. “In light of the fact that we were required to complete the project during a pandemic, I think I’m safe to say the owner views the job as a success based.” “The company offers multiple in-house safety initiatives and training to its employees.” 11Another success is the 468 Columbus Avenue project – a bou- tique condominium consisting of seven full-floor apartments and two commercial units. The property measures around 40,000 square feet and the project had a $34 million budget. With a terracotta façade that was imported from Italy, and interiors that sparkle with slab stones in both its bathrooms and kitchens, the visually stunning project has been a huge success. What makes this project so impressive, however, is that it has since passed the requirements to achieve Pas- sive House certification. As Monte explains, this ensures the highest level of sustainability and energy performance. “It is a super high-performance façade with very little leakage. It was most definitely a unique project to build.” 12145 West John Street Hicksville, NY 11801 516-305-5588 8 Revolutionary Road Ossining, NY 10562 914-607-3049 E: info@daylitewindow.com Windows, Window Wall, Curtain Wall, Storefronts, Custom Facades SERVING THE TRI-STATE : Manhattan, NY | Queens, NY | Brooklyn, NY | Bronx, NY Staten Island, NY | Westchester, NY | New Jersey | Connecticut DAYLITEWINDOW.COM The 3514 Surf Avenue project, located on the beach on Coney Island, is another than Monte feels a sense of pride over. Inter- estingly, Hudson Meridian began work on this project back in 2017. Standing as a testament to the positive working relation- ships Hudson Meridian develops with its clients, Surf Avenue is the second project completed for the Red Apple Group. The beach structure, which backs against the boardwalk, benefits from spectacular sea views. Measuring 565,000 gross square feet, the residential project has a significant podium and park- ing structure and contains 420 units. The project had a budget of $175 million and, having been completed in just under 24 months, Monte explains that Hudson Meridian were required to work “under a very tight schedule.” Hudson Meridian has a justified reputation for providing excel- lence in everything it takes on. Its continued success shows no sign of abating either. While its main office will remain in downtown New York City, the company has recently expanded its footprint. In an example of the company’s continued growth, new offices have also been opened in Westchester, White Plains, and in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. These addi- tions ensure that Hudson Meridian can serve clients across a larger geographical area while also standing as evidence of the increased demand for its services. Rising from its first project, post 9/11, the landscape was one of uncertainty. Over twenty years later, the outlook could not be more different. Hudson Meridian is at the forefront of its industry and serves as an example of what high standards, hard work, and a keen sense of timing can bring. With these skills on board, you wouldn’t bet against it being around for another twenty years. Bill Cote Chief Executive Officer & Founder 1314WRITTEN BY JAMES O’NOLAN T he average person commuting to work, or setting off on an excursion or family holiday, will have their minds focused on the job ahead. The important meeting or relaxing break are, naturally, important topics. Usually however, they won’t give a second thought to the detailed network of highways, roads and bridges that take them to their destination. While we may occasionally marvel at the complexities and beauty of these structures, their reliability is rarely questioned. They become a constant, dependable thing. So, what happens when a bridge, this iconic steel emblem of innovation and beauty, has endured years of use and neglect? With infrastructure users at record levels, what happens when these structures fall into disrepair? Well, that is where bridge rehabilitation comes in. Bridge rehabilitation is the process of restoring a bridge to its original glory, maintaining its structural integrity, and ensuring its safety for the public. With an infrastructure network spanning vast distances across the United States, the importance of this sector will be of no surprise. Not only that, but it also provides an important service in preserving the history and culture of the nation. While this may seem obvious to those outside the industry, the question must be asked, what does it take to bring a bridge back to life? With rehabilitation projects that may involve improving the bridge's deck, or replacing old worn-out steel, a comprehensive and rigorous process is vital. 15Safety & Inspections Boats • Barges/Scaffolding Crew Boats [8-16 Passengers] • Push/Tug Boats Snooper | UBIU | Brand New Aspen Aerial 62 30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE PROVIDING BRIDGE ACCESS SUPPORT (860) 693-2201 | (434) 422-1741 support@safetyboats.com SAFETYBOATS.COM With massive infrastructure spending announced last year, it may seem as though things are in a positive place. However, it is only when we look into the finer details that the real chal- lenges emerge. According to the Federal Highway Admin- istration, over 300,000 bridges in the U.S. are over 50 years old. In addition to that, American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that it will cost $125 billion to repair or replace the bridges in need of attention across the country. Of even greater concern is that in 2019, the FHWA reported that over 47,000 bridges across the United States were structurally deficient, indicating considerable decline in the bridge's con- dition and capacity to carry loads. It is in this context that Piasecki Steel Construction Corp have been operating for over four decades. The company has been working tirelessly to ensure that dams, trusses, and suspension bridges in the state of New York get the attention they need. Located in Shodack, a town in Rensselaer County, NY, with a population of almost 13,000, Piasecki Steel Construction Corp has built up over 40 years of experience, skill and indus- try knowledge. From its base, located near the state capital of Albany, the company has developed and nurtured longstand- ing relationships with clients throughout the industry. Richard J Piasecki founded the company. Piasecki, from a first-gen- eration Polish family in Brooklyn New York, moved back to his home state having obtained a degree in civil Engineering from Worchester Massachusetts. From there he was heavily involved in some major construction projects across New York City while working for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation and the Karl Koch Erecting Co., one of which was the World Trade Center. Having gained a solid foundation, Piasecki set up his own business and starting out by working on small, state funded projects. Today, Piasecki Steel is run by Piasecki’s stepson, Michael Belsky, who followed in his stepfather’s footsteps by getting his civil engineering degree from Worchester Polytechnic Institute and becoming Company President in 2015. Through a combi- nation of excellent business acumen and industry knowledge, Belsky’s leadership has seen the company increase revenue annually, with Piasecki Steel now employing 40 people. “Piasecki Steel Construction Corp. has built up over 40 years of experience, skill and industry knowledge.” 1617• Capital market real estate financing • Short- and long-term loans • Commercial mortgages/ construction loans • Full range of commercial credit solutions • Working capital and equipment lines of credit • Cash management and depository services Grow with us at cbna.com/commercial Member FDIC Proud to partner with Piasecki Steel This success is not by chance, however. As Belsky explains, Piasecki Steel was at the forefront of the bridge rehabilitation sector and its knowledge and skill has driven the industry forward. “A lot of the means and methods that contractors employ in this industry came from our past ingenuity. We take great pride in planning the work and then developing the project. Every job is challenging and uniquely satisfying.” With the area of bridge rehabilitation being such a niche one, the services that Piasecki Steel offers its clients are highly skilled. From main cable investigation and suspend rope replacement through to structural lifting and rehabilitation of structural steel bridges, this company excels in every aspect of the sector. However, it cannot be overstated how important an attention to detail is in this area. As Belsky explains, these undertakings involve a fastidious process that places safety and functionality of bridges at the center. Main cable investigation, for example, is a thorough inspection of the primary support system of suspension bridges. The method entails inspecting the cables, anchorages, and suspender ropes that support up the bridge. Intrusive inspections are required to wedge open the main cable and inspect its inner core. While advanced technology, such as ultrasonic testing and magnetic particle inspection, are non-destructive tests used to detect any defects or anomalies 18that might affect the bridge's structure. After the inspection is completed, any necessary repairs are then carried out. While the rehabilitation of any bridge is undoubtedly cause for celebration, Piasecki Steel has worked on a number of projects. One of which is the $19.1M, Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge Rehabilitation project. The bridge, which connects Ogdensburg, New York in the United States, to Johnstown in Ontario, Canada, stands out for Belsky due to the diligent focus required from all involved. “This 18-month project required significant planning to prepare for the nightly bridge deck replacement. A total of 65 nightshifts were required to replace the existing steel grid bridge deck and floor beams. One major challenge was that the approach spans were superelevated, and the all the connections were bolted together. A bridge model was created to ensure all successive members would align through the curvature of the structure. Additionally, the grid deck system was mas- sively time consuming to make and would have been costly to replace if fabricated incorrectly. The bridge also had to be open for traffic every morning, so the pieces had to fit.” PROUD BRIDGE DECKING SUPPLIER OF Steel Open-Grid Bridge Decks Grid-Reinforced Concrete Decks Heavy Duty Riveted & Welded Grating CONNECT WITH US: LIGHTWEIGHT BRIDGE DECK & SIDEWALK SPECIALISTS 256.845.9556 contact@frontiergratings.com Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge 19Next >