-- Two (2) updates can be found below
The MTA this week released (on their web site) a copy of the most recent MTA Capital Construction report to the Federal Transit Administration for the Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway Project.
The report covers the period April - June 2010.
2Q2010 Report to the FTA - Second Avenue Subway, Phase 1
Page 16, reproduced below, includes an updated Gantt chart (dated 7/1/10) that details the "schedule and proposed schedule" for the project.
(Left-click on the image for a view that is readable.)
In case anyone is wondering - MTA Capital Construction is still forecasting a revenue service date of Friday, December 30th, 2016.
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Meanwhile work in the ground freeze zone, just south of the launch box, is continuing. (This is the section of ground that must be frozen before the TBM can mine Tunnel Number 2 early next year.)
8/28/10
91st Street - SE corner, looking W
This is a portable drilling rig that is owned by the company Moretrench. The rig here is being used to drill the shafts for the so-called freeze pipes.
8/28/10
91st Street - looking S
8/28/10
A close-up shot of one drill bits used by this rig.
8/28/10
91st Street, SE corner - looking E
This portable storage tank was placed on 91st Street within the past few weeks.
An update - 9/13/10
Recently I've learned that the portable storage tanks [there are 3 of them on 91st Street now] are actually settling tanks for the silty ground water that is currently being pumped out of the work zone by the contractor Moretrench.
The dirty water sits in the holding tanks until the sediment settles. Then the [now clear] water is discharged into the sewer and the silt is trucked away for disposal.
Once all the pipes have been installed the storage tanks will be removed and replaced by a giant refrigeration system. The refrigeration system will pump a salt brine solution through the installed pipes so that the ground can be frozen to approximately minus 20 degrees (F).
Once the ground is frozen solid the TBM will tunnel right through the area.
8/28/10
just south of SE corner of 95th Street - looking W
This odd looking contraption was set up in front of the Normandie Wines shop about ten days ago by the company J. P. Hogan Coring & Sawing.
It would appear to be a wire saw that will be used to cut out a large section of concrete from the east wall of the launch box. The wire that runs around the pulleys is most likely fitted with industrial diamonds, to cut through the concrete.
8/28/10
Another view of the machine.
8/28/10
This is a view of the section of concrete that is being cut out. Two of the cuts are shown, on the right and the left.
An Update - 9/20/10
9/18/10
In this image you can now clearly see the section of concrete that has been removed from the east wall of the launch box.
8/28/10
btw. 94th and 95th streets
This exciting picture shows of one of the temporary ventilation shafts for the launch box.
What's interesting is that it appears that the contractors are now fitting the shaft with a material (i.e. the white sheets) that will dampen sound. I understand that in the past some neighborhood residents have complained about the high pitched whine that these fans can produce.
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8/28/10
93rd Street - looking N
On a lighter note, shown here is the cutout that has been recently mounted on the side of the Sandhog's changing building near 93rd Street.
It is none other than the professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.
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And finally -- as of Tuesday, August 31st, the TBM has now mined a total 1,928 feet of Tunnel No. 1 (the west tunnel).
This would put the TBM at a point between 84th & 85th streets, near the location of the restaurant Vespa.
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Here's a listing of the recent additions
to the right-hand column of The Launch Box:
"Second Avenue merchants: subway construction cutting business by up to 40%"
By Jane C. Timm
The Real Deal - 8/24/10
"Drill Down: Going Deep With NYC’s Second Avenue Subway Project"
By Daniel Dumas
Wired.com - 8/31/10
"Above Ground, a 2nd Ave. Subway Plan Attracts Critics"
By Terry Pristin
The New York Times - 8/31/10
Under Businesses that have Closed:
8/28/10
1767 Second Avenue (btw. 91st and 92nd Street)
Knickerbocker Plaza Cleaners
Closed in early August 2010The Marshal's Notice on the door says that landlord took procession of the premises on 8/2/10, and the sign in the window says "Knickerbocker Cleaners has been closed indefinitely. You can pick up your garments from: The Ritz Cleaners, 344 East 72nd Street. (212) 737-0820."
8/28/10
1742 Second Avenue (btw. 90th and 91st)
Re-opened as Giorgio's Wine Bar Ristorantein early August 2010
8/28/10
1825 Second Avenue (btw. 94th and 95th)
Re-opened as K9 Locksmith
in early August 2010
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4 comments:
You know, I actually believe the MTA's estimate. The thing is, there's very few dependencies left between different project elements; and the absolute most unreliable parts, utility relocation and building underpinning, are well underway. If it opens with one of the stations still incomplete I won't be surprised, but unless there's a problem with the very old-fashioned signals/traction/communications work, there's very few things left which could throw the schedule off badly.
Barring a major cave-in.
I live on 83rd just east of 2nd and I think I am either crazy or I can feel the vibrations from the TBM. There is a faint but noticeable constant vibration that my bare feet can feel on my floor.
That could in fact be the TBM that you're feeling under your feet.
Someone told me that its easy to hear the rumble of the TBM if you put your ear up to one of the street light poles on Second Avenue - above where the machine is operating. The sound of the machine is amplified, just a bit, because the street light poles are hollow.
Ben
Actually it is a fact that its easy to hear the rumble of the TBM if you put your ear up to one of the street light poles
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