132 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Daily News, New York, NY, 9/17/16:

 

Shutdown of L train to bring traffic changes to NYC drivers

Motorists, make way for displaced L train riders.

HOV restrictions, a dedicated bus lane on the Williamsburg Bridge and keeping 14th St. clear of traffic for mass transit are ideas that transportation policy experts said are critical to easing the pain of losing L train service in 2019, when its underwater tunnel closes for extensive repairs.

 

Yet another article

[CNJRoss]

NYCT news release, 1/20/17:

 

MTA, NYCDOT Hold Community Workshops on Alternative Service Plans During Canarsie Tunnel Repairs

 

Series of Workshops Scheduled to Discuss, Solicit Public Feedback on ways to Minimize Impacts of L Line Tunnel Closure

 

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) today announced a series of jointly held interactive public workshops next month to engage communities in Manhattan and Brooklyn that will be affected by the previously announced repairs to the Canarsie Tunnel on the line.

 

The full closure of the Canarsie Tunnel’s two tubes will not begin before January 2019, providing time for a thoughtful development of service alternatives.

 

During the workshops, MTA and NYCDOT will provide information on the Canarsie Tunnel repairs and to solicit community feedback on possible alternate travel options during the planned 18-month closure.

 

Representatives from MTA and NYCDOT are also using the sessions to gain input for traffic modeling and analysis currently being conducted as service plans to minimize impacts are developed. Representatives will also be available to discuss construction impacts, ADA issues, and bus and subway service as it relates to the closure.

 

The public is strongly encouraged to participate in these workshops, which are expected to solicit meaningful input on alternate travel options for customers who will be affected by the repairs.

 

About the Canarsie Tunnel Closure

The Canarsie Tunnel was one of nine underwater tunnels that flooded during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, all of which required extensive rehabilitation and repair. The Canarsie Tunnel suffered extensive damage to tracks, signals, switches, power cables, signal cables, communication cables, lighting, cable ducts and bench walls throughout a 7,100-foot-long flooded section of both tubes. Bench walls throughout those sections must be rehabilitated to protect the structural integrity of the tubes.

 

During the 18-month rehabilitation process, the MTA will also make significant improvements to stations and tunnel segments closest to the river. New stairs and elevators will be installed at the Bedford Av station in Brooklyn and the 1 Av station in Manhattan, and three new electric substations will be installed, providing more power to operate additional trains during rush hours.

 

Community Workshops

Community workshops have been designed to help the MTA and NYCDOT develop service alternatives and mitigation proposals tailored to the affected neighborhoods. Each workshop will be structured to allow public participation on a rolling basis as people arrive in order to solicit ideas from the greatest number of people.

 

The workshops are intended to help MTA and NYCDOT better understand preferred alternate travel options for impacted customers. They will also solicit community input on alternate solutions such as increased bicycle use, shuttle buses and ferries, and to generate other suggestions. The MTA and NYCDOT is also working with community boards, elected officials and the public to develop alternate service plans, which will be in place at least one year ahead of the 2019 closure.

 

The workshops will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following dates:

 

February 9, 2017: Eastside of Manhattan
Town and Village Synagogue
334 East 14th Street, New York

 

February 16, 2017: Williamsburg
The Williamsburg HS for Architecture & Design
257 North 6th Street, Brooklyn

 

February 23: Westside of Manhattan
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
328 West 14th Street, New York

 

March 2, 2017: East Williamsburg/Bushwick
Progress High School
850 Grand Street, Brooklyn

 

 

 

[KevinKorell]

WABC-TV, ABC-7 in New York, NY, 3/17/17:

 

 

L train construction may finish faster than originally planned

 

Construction on the L train's Canarsie Tunnel may conclude three months sooner than previously predicted.

According to the MTA, it will take 15 months to complete repairs on the tunnel under the East River, which was damaged during Superstorm Sandy.

Update

[CNJRoss]

NYCT news release, 3/17:

 

MTA Seeks to Accelerate Canarsie Tunnel Rehabilitation and Station Improvement, Completing Work in 15 Months

 

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will seek board approval next week to award an expedited contract to accelerate the rehabilitation of the train’s Canarsie Tunnel under the East River by three months, improve two stations, and build a substation that will allow more trains to run on the Line, increasing capacity. The contract award calls for the tunnel work to be completed in 15 months, three months shorter than the previously discussed 18 months.

 

The $477 million contract, to be awarded to a joint venture consisting of Judlau Contracting Inc. and TC Electric, also adds $15 million in incentives to complete the tunnel project in 15 months. Contractual provisions were included to expedite demolition, encourage acceleration of the tunnel work, deter delays, enable traffic mitigation work, and the testing and commissioning of systems.

 

Consistent with NYC Transit’s objectives to expedite critical capital projects and improve customer service, NYC Transit will also implement procedures to ensure that the project advances in a fast-tracked fashion similar to the expedited nature of Design Build projects.

 

“The heavy damage sustained by the Canarsie Tunnel during Superstorm Sandy requires a full reconstruction in order to ensure the integrity of the tunnel and the safety of riders for generations to come,” said MTA Interim Executive Director Ronnie Hakim. “At the same time, we promised to do everything possible to mitigate the impact of this vital work on l line riders, and today, we’ve done just that, by shortening the tunnel closure from 18 months to 15 months.”

 

The work under the contract will address the salt water damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in the tunnel to improve service and reliability for the riding public. The work in the tunnel will be completed during the closure of the tunnel between Brooklyn and Manhattan that is now planned to begin in April 2019. Work during the closure includes demolition and reconstruction of approximately 60,000 linear feet (LF) of duct banks, 14,400 LF of track and track bed, 270,000 LF of cable ducts and associated cables, repair of 7,000 LF of concrete lining, and the installation of tunnel lighting and fire systems. The tunnel will be also be protected from future storms with resiliency measures including construction of resilient cables and ducts and the installation of a new discharge line.

 

Prior to the tunnel closure, extensive station work will be performed that will increase operational efficiency and improve accessibility and circulation. Station improvements at the 1 Av and Bedford Av stations will include new stairways, and four ADA-compliant elevators and other work to improve customer flow.

 

Construction of a new Avenue B substation and other infrastructure will address power requirements that, combined with the existing CBTC signal system, will allow more trains to run on the line to accommodate growing ridership.

 

The MTA and NYC DOT have engaged in an aggressive community engagement process through town halls and community workshops meeting with residents, businesses, community boards, merchant groups and civic associations in Brooklyn and Manhattan communities along the Line. The meetings have been successful forums providing information on the Canarsie Tunnel repairs and to solicit community feedback on possible alternate travel options during the planned closure.

 

The Canarsie Tunnel suffered extensive damage to tracks, signals, switches, power cables, signal cables, communication cables, lighting, cable ducts and bench walls throughout a 7,100-foot-long flooded section of both tubes.

 

MTA New York City Transit has taken several steps to ensure the Canarsie Tunnel remains reliable until permanent repairs can be performed. The agency is inspecting the tunnel’s walls more frequently, and has installed redundant power cables to ensure the pumping system will operate without interruption.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 4/4:

 

MTA OKs $492 million contract for Canarsie Tunnel repairs

During Hurricane Sandy, the tunnel was flooded with 7 million gallons of saltwater. Photo – Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) board yesterday approved a contract that will shorten the repair time for the Hurricane Sandy-damaged Canarsie Tunnel.

Under the $492 million contract with Judlau Contracting Inc. and TC Electric, the repair work will wrap up in 15 months instead of the previously estimated 18 months. Judlau completed similar work on the Montague Tunnel in 2013 ahead of schedule, MTA officials said in a press release.

 

Continue here.

 

Also see: NY MTA - Canarsie Tunnel repairs; better stations; 2nd Ave. Subway

[KevinKorell]

New York, NY Times, 12/13/17:

 

 

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Rerouting Thousands: City Plans for L Train Closure

 

 

 

No single- or two-passenger cars on the Williamsburg Bridge during the morning or afternoon rush. A new ferry route. Extra turnstiles in some Brooklyn subway stations. The packed lanes of 14th Street in Manhattan given over solely to buses. Twice as many bicyclists whizzing over the East River from Brooklyn.

 

Welcome to the L train shutdown.

 

The latest

[KevinKorell]

Second Avenue Sagas take on the diversion plan:

 

 

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First Look: DOT, MTA present initial plans for L train shutdown

 

One strange fact of New York City that we — the royal we of this city — never contemplate involves the logistics of moving a few hundred thousand people every day in between the borough of Brooklyn on the Island of Long and the borough of Manhattan on the island of, well, Manhattan. It’s just a thing that happens every day, but beginning in April of 2019, just over 15 months from now, the 225,000 people that use the L train’s Canarsie Tubes are going to have to find another way to travel under the East River.

 

Continue

[CNJRoss]

WABC-TV New York 12/14/17:
 

L train riders: Here are your options for alternative transit during the 15-month shutdown

 

 

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The MTA released its plans Wednesday for how it will handle the L train's upcoming 15-month shutdown.

The train line closure is part of a construction project to repair damage to the Canarsie Tunnel caused during Superstorm Sandy. Salt water that flooded the tunnel caused the corrosion of cabling, power infrastructure and track equipment.

This will impact more than 400,000 daily L train riders, 225,000 of which travel between Manhattan and Brooklyn. Most riders -- about 70 to 80 percent -- are expected to take different subway lines.

 

SNIP

 

To help mitigate mass congestion during the shutdown, several measures are being taken on nearby subway lines, bus lines and bridge traffic. Below are the details:

 

More here w/video report.

[CNJRoss]

NYCT news release 1/12/18:

 

MTA, NYC DOT to Hold Community Meetings Detailing Alternative Service Plans During Canarsie Tunnel Repairs

 

Series of Open House-Format Discussions on Service, Street Changes During L Line Tunnel Closure

 

 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) today announced the dates for a series of jointly held open houses in January and February aimed at engaging those communities in Manhattan and Brooklyn that will be affected by the repairs to the Canarsie Tunnel on the  line.

 

The open houses, which will take place over four consecutive weeks beginning on January 24^th, will feature representatives from MTA and NYC DOT and will provide riders with critical information about alternative travel options they can utilize during the 15 months in which the Canarsie Tunnel will be closed for major repairs beginning April 2019. MTA New York City Transit personnel will preview measures the agency will take to help move the roughly 225,000 customers who travel through the tunnel each weekday, as well as the 50,000 riders who use the  train just within Manhattan.  NYC DOT will discuss its proposed street improvements to support travel alternatives during the closure.  Changes will include HOV restrictions on the Williamsburg Bridge, the addition of Select Bus Service to a new 14th Street busway, along with new protected bike lanes and bus lanes throughout the affected Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods. 

 

Customers are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in the meetings, which are open to the public. Attendees may arrive at any time during the meetings.

 

 ABOUT THE CANARSIE TUNNEL CLOSURE

The Canarsie Tunnel was one of nine underwater tunnels that flooded during Superstorm Sandy in 2012, all of which required extensive rehabilitation and repair. The Canarsie Tunnel suffered extensive damage to tracks, signals, switches, power cables, signal cables, communication cables, lighting, cable ducts and bench walls throughout a 7,100-foot-long flooded section of both tubes. Bench walls throughout those sections must be rehabilitated to protect the structural integrity of the tubes.

 

The scheduled 15-month closure of the Canarsie Tunnel’s two tubes begins in April 2019. 

 

 More information on the Canarsie Tunnel repairs and the alternate service changes are available on this dedicated MTA mini-site on the work.

 

 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPEN HOUSES

These community meetings will follow an open house format guided by MTA and NYC DOT representatives. The meetings are intended to help customers better understand their alternate travel options and provide answers to questions from subway customers, local business owners and residents of the impacted neighborhoods.

 

The open houses will take place on the following dates:

 

Wednesday, January 24, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m: East Williamsburg

Progress High School

850 Grand Street, Brooklyn

 

To get to the event, take the L to Grand Street or use any of the following bus lines:  Q54, Q59, B43.

 

Wednesday, January 31, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m.: Manhattan Eastside

14^th Street Y

344 East 14^th Street, New York

 

To get to the event, take the  L to 1 Av or the  456NQRW to 14 St-Union Sq or use any of the following bus lines: M14A, M14D, M15, M15SBS, M101, M102, M103

 

Thursday, February 8, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m: Williamsburg

Williamsburg Community Center

195 Graham Avenue, Brooklyn

 

To get to the event, take L to Montrose Av or use any of the following bus lines: Q54, Q59, B24, B43, B48, B60

 

Wednesday, February 14, 2018, from 5 to 8 p.m: Manhattan Westside

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

328 West 14th Street, New York

 

To get to the event, take 123ACE to 14 St Union Square or the 8 Av L or use any of the following bus lines M11, M12, M14A, M14D, M20

 

 

[KevinKorell]

Curbed New York, 2/19/18:

 

 

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Latest quirky L train shutdown proposal is an East River pontoon bridge

 

 

As the impending L train shutdown, set to begin in April 2019, draws closer, service alternatives continue to roll in. Though the MTA and city officials released a shutdown plan in December, those details are still being fleshed out and are still a ways from being set in stone.

 

 

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