The replacement of the Livingston Avenue Bridge marks one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in New York's Capital Region in more than a century. Built in 1902, the existing bridge has long served as a vital rail connection between Albany and Rensselaer, carrying a steady flow of Amtrak trains along the Northeast Corridor. Yet time has caught up with the structure. Its limited speed capacity, aging mechanical systems, and restricted maritime clearance have made replacement not just desirable, but essential. With a project value of roughly $635 million, the new bridge will introduce a modern two‑track vertical lift span capable of supporting higher‑speed rail service, while also delivering something the community has never had before: a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle path across this stretch of the Hudson River. 

Because the bridge sits within a sensitive ecological zone, the entire construction schedule is shaped by the Hudson River's fish spawning window. In‑water work is permitted only from September through March, a period carefully chosen to protect species such as Atlantic sturgeon, American shad, and striped bass. This seasonal limitation requires the marine team to work with precision and efficiency, completing foundation operations within each year's narrow window before shifting to land‑based tasks in the spring and summer. 

To meet these challenges, Skanska has partnered with D.A. Collins Construction Co., a subcontractor with decades of experience working on the Hudson and a reputation for excelling in complex marine environments. Their familiarity with the river, combined with a deep bench of marine operators and foundation specialists, makes them an ideal fit for a project where timing, environmental compliance, and technical execution must align perfectly. Under the leadership of Richard Aubin -Senior Project Manager, Ray Banks -Project Manager, Frank Staley -General Superintendent, and Jesse Older -Equipment Manager, the D.A. Collins team has mobilized two large barges, each outfitted with cranes, leads, and the specialized equipment needed to install the deep foundations that will support the new lift span.  

Central to this effort is a suite of ICE® equipment selected specifically for the river's variable soils and the project's demanding schedule. The ICE® 44 and ICE® 66 vibratory hammers are being used to set the 30" (in) and 36" (in) pipe piles, their high‑frequency vibration allowing the piles to advance quickly through the upper layers of the riverbed. These vibratory hammers are powered through Hydrauli‑Flex™ hoses, which provide the flexibility, durability, and hydraulic efficiency needed for continuous marine operation. The hoses' resistance to abrasion and cold weather is particularly valuable during the winter months, when the fish window is open and temperatures on the Hudson can be unforgiving. 

Once the piles reach depths where vibration alone can no longer achieve the required bearing, the team transitions to impact driving. For this final seating, two ICE® I‑62v2 diesel hammers are being used. Their high‑energy blows deliver the driving force needed to secure the 36‑inch pipe piles to their design elevations. Using a pair of I‑62v2 hammers allows D.A. Collins to maintain production across multiple work fronts, an essential advantage when every day of the fish window counts. 

The combination of vibratory installation followed by diesel impact driving gives the team both speed and precision, an approach that respects the environmental constraints while ensuring the new bridge's foundations are built to last for generations. Every pile driven during this window lays out the groundwork for the future lift span, which will eventually be floated into place by barge and set atop the newly constructed piers. The work happening now; quietly, steadily, and often in harsh winter conditions; will support a structure expected to serve the region for the next hundred years. 

Projects like this rely on the skill and dedication of marine contractors who understand both the river and the responsibility that comes with building in it. The Capital Region will benefit enormously from the improved rail service, safer navigation channel, and long‑awaited pedestrian access this bridge will provide. International Construction Equipment is proud to support D.A. Collins in this effort and extends sincere appreciation for their continued trust in ICE® equipment. Their craftsmanship on the Livingston Avenue Bridge will leave a lasting legacy for the community, the rail network, and everyone who depends on the Hudson River corridor. 

Learn more about the ICE® 44, ICE® 66 & ICE® I‑62v2

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Media Contact-          
Pollyanna Cunningham, MA, MBA     
Vice President    
ICE® - International Construction Equipment, Inc    
The Hose Company       
Office - 704-821-8200    
Email - marketing@iceusa.com / info@hydraulichose.com