Our Experience

John P. Picone, Inc. has a long and storied history in the heavy construction industry ever since our founding in 1950. We are considered among the top three New York companies in public works, specifically in tunnels, hydraulic works, and water infrastructures. In this section, we highlight notable projects from our past, and recent interesting projects, all of which illustrates our passion, innovation, and leadership in the field.

2021 – Hannah Street Pumping Station Upgrade

The project consists of rehabilitating the existing Hannah Street Pump Station, constructing a new electrical building, a new Con-Edison metering building and rehabilitating over 1,500 feet of existing 36-inch force main sewer. Picone will be responsible for the design, installation and operation of temporary facilities - such as an interim pumping station, 36-inch pump around force main and approximately 1,800 feet of temporary 30-inch force main along Victory Blvd &Bay Street. Extensive support of excavation (SOE) including secant piles, jet grouting and dewatering will be used in order to accomplish our work.

2021 – Design-Build Services for the Bay Park Conveyance Project

This design-build Project will convey fully treated water from the South Shore Reclamation Facility at Bay Park (formerly known as the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant) to the existing Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant ocean outfall pipe. Construction involves underground microtunneling within the communities of East Rockaway, Rockville Centre, and Wantagh, and the repurposing of an existing aqueduct beneath Sunrise Highway through Rockville Centre, Baldwin, Freeport, Merrick, Bellmore, and Wantagh.

2019 – Reconstruction of Rikers Island North and South Pumping Station

Work at the North Pump Station of Rikers Island (connection to Hunts Point) will include improvements to the existing pump station as well as mechanical and electrical upgrades. The South Pump Station (connection to Bowery Bay) will be completely demolished with the influent manhole, and the underground structure will be replaced with a completely new pump station furnished with a new emergency generator, main sewage pumps, and other major equipment.

2019 – Sandy Flood Mitigation at St George Terminal in Staten Island

The purpose of the project is to install flood walls and backflow prevention of the drainage/sewer system to protect the Staten Island terminal in the event of a major storm or flooding conditions. Over the course of two years, the construction of these flood barriers will take place in and around the perimeter of the terminal, near the Staten Island Yankees Ballpark (north portal) and just south of the United States Postal Office on Bay Street (south portal to Tompkinsville Station). With an average of 15,000 commuters riding the Staten Island Railway (SIR) on a daily basis, work at the tunnel opening at the south portal is critical to the protection of the terminal. Its location and relation to the SIR and St George Ferry bridges Staten Island and Manhattan.

2018 – Design-Build Services for LIRR Expansion Project from Floral Park to Hicksville

Installation of a third Main Line track and pedestrian overpasses/ underpasses with elevators at certain LIRR Stations and grade crossing locations. Elimination of seven existing grade crossings within the project limits to provide grade separated vehicular and pedestrian crossings at five locations and pedestrian crossings with full closure to vehicular traffic at two locations. Construction of retaining walls and sound attenuation walls along portions of the corridor. Various modifications to passenger rail stations, platforms, and parking. Modifications to railroad infrastructure and relocation of utilities.

2015 – Route 110 over NY-27 (Sunrise Highway) Bridge Replacement

Installation of a temporary bridge and geotextile soil support system for temporary embankment and roads, demolition of existing bridge, and construction of the new replacement bridge.

2015 – Grand Central Terminal Concourse and Facilities Fit-Out

Construction of a 350,000 sf Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Grand Central Terminal (GCT) concourse within the existing structures of Metro North Railroad known as Madison Yards, which includes underground utility work, structural steel and concrete work, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural finish work. Major areas of work include: connections to the historic Dining Concourse and Biltmore Room in GCT; Ventilation Facility Fit-Outs at 44th and 50th Streets; construction of the MTA Police Department facility; excavation and fit-out of a new entrance at 48th Street; cross passageways at 45th and 47th Streets.

2015 – Design-Build Rockaway Point Blvd Overpass & Jacob Riis Pedestrian Overpass

Design-Build project to replace the Rockaway Point Boulevard Overpass and rehabilitate an adjacent pedestrian overpass, complete replacement of the existing steel superstructure and concrete deck, rehabilitation of the existing abutments and piers to accept the new superstructure and roadway, and rehabilitation of the Jacob Riis Pedestrian Overpass.

2014 – Renewal of Six Stations, Sea Beach Line

Reconstruction of the barrel arches, installation of new transfer bridge, micro piles, and structural steel. Demolition of the existing concrete canopies, installation of a new metal overhang, and replacement of columns and parapet wall at all stations. Concrete repair work at the stations and on the line structure. Installation of architectural finishes at all stations and new electric lighting. Upgrade of HVAC and mechanical at the control houses. Installation of elevators at New Utrecht, and new ADA ramp. Reconstruction of the Barrel Arches and passageway’s on the control houses.

2014 – Design-Build Services for the Reconfiguration of Johnson Avenue Yard

Realignment and re-profile of the Johnson Avenue Yard tracks to allow for space for future Track F2, the track that will serve the south side of new Platform F and Grand Central, to join with the Johnson Avenue Yard lead track. Construction of a new retaining wall; modification of the Sutphin Boulevard bridge; replacement of all four Johnson Avenue Yard tracks and portion of the existing Johnson Avenue Yard lead track. Roadway and service aisles were replaced with asphalt pavement, and drainage improvements were made throughout the yard including a new 6” water line with a new street connection installed with yard hydrants

2013 – New Arthur Kill Train Station and Parking Lot

Construction of a new station and parking lot between Atlantic and Nassau Stations, consisting of two pile supported platforms for the Tottenville and St. George Ferry lines. Erection of a steel and concrete ramp and pedestrian bridge, and a prefabricated structure for use by SIR Transit employees. Installation/ upgrade of water and sewer, electrical, communication, fire, and network utilities and systems. Demolition of the platforms at the Atlantic and Nassau Station nearby, and abatement of mercury and PCB containing fixtures and the safe handling of lead containing materials.

2013 – Construction of Part of Second Avenue Subway Route 132A, 86th Street Station

Supply and installation of mechanical systems, electrical medium voltage and 120V systems, plumbing, elevators and escalators in the station and entrances. Construction of the station platform and mezzanine levels, ancillaries, entrances, interior walls and rooms, architectural finishes, and building exteriors.

2012 – Construction of a Station Entrance at Site P, Number 7 Line, "A" Division

Construction of a below-grade station entrance structure The work also includes the furnishing and installing of the civil improvements, utility connections, architectural finishes, station entrance canopies at Site P and at the adjacent Site J station entrance, structural steel work, escalators, HVAC, fire protection, plumbing, electrical power and lighting, instrumentation and controls, and communication systems for a fully operational subway station entrance.

2010 – Structures and Underwater Work at Cross Bay Bridge

Rehabilitation of existing bridge piers, installation of rip-rap, gabions and gabion mattresses, and underwater pile jackets on existing piles. The main project was completed on schedule and additional work was added due to Hurricane Sandy.

2009 – Plant Central Residuals Building at Newtown Creek WPCP

Construction of a new steel and concrete structure for fine secondary wastewater screens, sludge screens, grit-washing equipment, skimming concentration equipment and plant residual containers. Installation of odor-control system. Major items of work include: utility, mechanical and architectural work, site work, excavation and shoring, and installation of piles.

2009 – Rehabilitation of Five Stations on the West End Line, Brooklyn NY

Architectural rehabilitation of the historic station house at the 9th Avenue location and Fort Hamilton Station. Platform upgrades and installation of new windscreens at 50th Street and 55th Street stations. New roofing and platform upgrades at 62nd Street. Repair of the line structure between and within the station areas, and extensive steel repair work along the structure above the street throughout the project.

2009 – Rehabilitation of Five Stations on the Pelham Line, Bronx NY

Complete rehabilitation of five stations on the Pelham Line in the Bronx. Each station received new canopies, lightning, windscreens and mezzanines. The roofs at each mezzanine were removed and replaced with new concrete, structural steel, waterproofing and tracks. Structural steel repairs were performed throughout all stations, including platform and track girders, canopy columns, platform and mezzanine floor beams and mezzanine hangers. The Parkchester station additionally received new interior finishes, entrances, updated platform amenities and fare control locations

2008 – Croton Water Treatment Plant, New Shaft and Meter Chamber, Jerome Park Reservoir

Construction of a new Shaft and Meter Chamber (SMC) around the riser pipes delivering filtered water to the Jerome Park Reservoir water distribution system. Other miscellaneous items of work include demolition and rehabilitation of various perimeter Gate Houses of the Jerome Park Reservoir and constructing a new access ramp into the South Basin of the reservoir.

2007 – Upgrading of the Force Main Pumping Station of Avenue V

Construction 32,000 lf of 48” and 42”force main from the Avenue V Pump Station to two regulators which discharge to the Owl’s Head Water Pollution Control Plant. The route of construction followed along the north shoulder of the Belt Parkway, running from the Verrazano Bridge to Cropsey Avenue, and then through city streets to the Avenue V Pump Station in Coney Island.

2006 – Tallman Island WPCP Interim Plant Upgrading, Phase 2

Rehabilitation of the existing plants treatment systems, excavation, removal and replacement of five Main Sewage Pumps. Full replacement of all suction and discharge piping and valves, instrumentation and controls associated electrical substations. Installation of new automated sluice gates, weir gates, and flow control systems. Construction of new concrete structures, architectural structures, process piping, plant process air blowers, pumping systems, aeration systems, and eight major temporary bypass treatment systems.

2002 – Wards Island WPCP Interim Upgrading Phase 2: Bronx and Manhattan Grit Chambers

Rehabilitation of two grit chamber buildings – each building required major mechanical, structural and architectural work. Site work consisted of stay in place steel sheet piling, mini-piles, cast in place electric vaults, water mains, asphalt paving and curb and sidewalk reconstruction.

1998 – Wantagh Bridge, Temporary Bypass at Sloop Channel

NYSDOT issued an emergency contract to furnish and install two 1,100 ft spans of temporary bridge and foundation due to increased scour of its foundation elements at the existing Goose Creek fixed span. Working through the winter, John P. Picone, Inc. re-designed the structural steel pile caps to arrive at the job pre-assembled. Utilizing temporary piles and supports, these permanent frames were used as the driving frame. Other efficiencies were obtained by delivering prefabricated and fully assembled 100-foot bridge assemblies using a large barge mounted crane. The bridge was opened two weeks ahead the aggressive original four-month schedule.

1997 – Jamaica WPCP Interim Expansion & Upgrading

Construction of a new 15,000 sf pre-engineered butler building and a new primary settling tank, flow splitter box and related piping, and a second chlorine contract tank for the plant effluent. Other Items of interest on this project included replacement of five main sewage pumps, installation of sixteen return sludge pumps, installation of eight digester sludge mixing and recirculation pumps, and upgrade of hypochlorite system, odor control, digester facilities and thickener facilities.

1993 – Oak Point Link Trestle

Project involved construction of a rail link on 72-inch diameter piles and 140 tons precast beams in the Harlem River utilizing a 450-ton crane on a barge. Construction of the Oak Point Link Rail Trestle in the Harlem River required the installation of over 400 caissons, the majority of which were installed in the water working from barges under difficult marine conditions. Of note, another General Contractor previously attempted construction of the Oak Point Link and failed to make headway and abandoned the project due to technical difficulties. These difficulties were overcome by John P. Picone, Inc.

1986 - Reconstruction of FDR Drive Northbound & Southbound Viaducts

The project included the underpinning of the existing roadway using marine equipment operating in “Hell’s Gate”, a treacherous section of New York’s East River. John P. Picone, Inc. designed, built and operated the first large barge-mounted concrete plant in New York City history, enabling continuous pours of up to 2,500 cy. Contributions to the project also included substantial re-design to improve the constructability and efficiency of the highway drainage systems and the tieback systems supporting the highway structures. The job was completed more than 18 months ahead of schedule.