June 7, 2009

6/6/09
92nd, SE corner - looking N
Work continues on the eastern half of the work site, as the contractors continue the installation of the decking over the Tunnel Boring Machine Launch Box.

In this image a section of the concrete decking has temporarily been removed so that workers can access the underside of the deck structure.

Over the past few weeks the contractors disassembled and removed both of the big Bauer rotary drilling rigs, and the hydraulic clam-shell bucket crane, from the work site. These machines were removed because the contractor has now completed all of the the secant pile and slurry walls for the Launch Box.



6/6/09
92nd, NE corner - looking N
The NYPD had this sidewalk closed off on Saturday morning when I walked over to the deli to buy a newspaper. They were posted at this location because the Department of Buildings (who I saw on-site) had issued a VACATE ORDER for the 5 story, 13 unit apartment building at 1772 Second Avenue (btw. 92nd and 93rd), due to an unsafe condition in the building.

According to the NYC Department of Buildings web site, a Full Vacate Order was issued for this building because "the wall exhibits cracks and loose bricks throughout the northern half of the building & the building was leaning."

Update - 6/9/09
Here's a link to the story that the Post just ran on this topic.
"2nd Ave. Subway Caused Building Evac: Officials" - NY Post, 6/9/09



6/7/09
A view of 1772 Second Avenue.



6/7/09
This is a view of the sealed off section of sidewalk in front of
1772 Second Avenue on Sunday morning.



6/7/09
And here's the notice that was posted by the Department of Buildings.



6/7/09
93rd, SE corner - looking NE
(the apartment building on the left looks like it's leaning because the stitching of the 2 images, that make up this picture, did not line-up exactly.)



6/7/09
btw. 93rd & 94th, east side of the avenue - looking SW
These two remote controlled demolition machines arrived on the work site about 2 weeks ago. (I've been told that they are made by the Swedish company Brokk.) I would guess that they are being used to break up a large amount of concrete at this location.



6/6/09
And here's a closer view of the Brokk demolition machine.



6/6/09
94th - looking N
Workers at this location are preparing a large section of steel rebar caging. (the rebar is used to reinforce the concrete wall, that will probably be poured next week.)



6/7/09
btw. 94th and 95, east side for 2nd Avenue - looking W
Here you see two deck beams that have recently been "spliced" together. Each spliced beam extends across the width of 2nd Avenue.

Note that workers are now splicing the deck beams at this location and at a location between 92nd and 93rd, as they work to complete the deck structure over the Launch Box.



6/7/09
Another view of the same location



6/7/09
This is a stitched image of the same location.
(Left-click on the image for a full view.)



6/6/09
95th - looking S



6/7/09
btw. 91st & 92nd, west side of 2nd Avenue - looking E
A picture of Nina's Argentinian Pizzeria Restaurant, framed by a large earth moving machine.

- - -

In other news...

The store front at 1830 Second Avenue (formerly Doner Kebap) re-opened in late May 2009, as Chinese Mirch, a take-away restaurant. (This location had been vacant for 21 month.)

And updated listing of vacant store fronts in the Launch Box construction zone can be found on this link.


Here's a listing of the recent additions
to the right-hand column of The Launch Box:

Second Avenue Subway
an on-line exhibition.
This exhibition was prepared as part of the program "The Future Beneath Us: 8 Great Projects Under New York," which is a program that was put together by the The New York Public Library and the New York Transit Museum.