Thursday, November 1, 2012

The MTA Recovers

Last Updated 12/22/12

Hurricane Sandy dealt a devastating blow to the MTA earlier this week. MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota stated that the storm damage to the transit system is like nothing the MTA has experienced in its 108-year history.

From what I understand, none of MTA Capital Construction's work sites on Second Avenue were damaged during the storm.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that there may have been some flooding at the 96th Street work site due to overspill from the East River.

On Thursday, November 1st, there was a report that one or more of the contractors was having trouble getting timely delivery of concrete to the site due to road congestion and excessive delays crossing the bridges into Manhattan. It is my understanding that most concrete products must be discharged (at the job site) within 90 minutes after water has been added to the cement, or the concrete cannot be used.

Two sources have told me that fuel for the concrete trucks has in some cases been difficult to come by.

Update 11/6/12:
Work at the 72nd Street work site has been temporary suspended, due to difficulty obtaining concrete, until Monday the 12th. Diesel fuel for the concrete trucks apparently is still in short supply.

Also, a very reliable source told me earlier today that there was no flooding at any of the work sites on Second Avenue.



New York City Hurricane Flood Map

As shown in the map above, the 96th Street work site is located just at the edge of Flood Zone B, shown in yellow.

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Here are a few images (below) of the damage that was inflicted on the MTA's subways, tunnels and railroads. I'll post more images as they are released over the next few days.


Sat. December 22, 2012



MTA New York City Transit / Marc Hermann
12/19/12

On Friday, December 21, 2012, R trains resumed service through the Montague Tube, which connects Brooklyn Heights with Lower Manhattan after more than a month of around-the-clock work.

In this photo, the Nassau Street Loop branches off to the right, and water damage can be seen on the ceiling.



MTA New York City Transit / Marc Hermann
12/19/12

Another view from inside the Montague Tube.



MTA New York City Transit / Marc Hermann
12/19/12

This photo shows signal relay cabinets with entirely new contents.



Tue. November 27, 2012



Overview of Subway and Bus preparations, impact and recovery
New York City Transit Committee Meeting
MTA Board of Directors
11/26/12
44 pages

MTA Impact List
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Posted on Scribd on 11/27/12
3 pages

The MTA's preliminary request for $5.023 billion, which include $3.5 million for the Second Avenue Subway.



Fri. November 9, 2012


"New York Subway Repairs Border ‘on the Edge of Magic’ "
By Matt Flegenheimer
The New York Times, 11/9/12, page 1

A comprehensive overview of what it took to bring the New York City transit system "back to life" after Hurricane Sandy.



Wed.. November 7, 2012



MTA New York City Transit / David Henly
11/7/12

Damage sustained by the South Ferry station on the New York City Subway's 1 Line. The station was flooded by seawater during Hurricane Sandy.



MTA New York City Transit / David Henly
11/7/12

Another image from the South Ferry station.



"MTA Video Release: Canarsie Tube Signal and Track Recovery Operations"
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
via YouTube
11/7/12

Video footage of MTA employees working to restore the tracks and signals of the 14th Street Tunnel under the East River, which carries the L subway line between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

The tunnel has been pumped dry of water, and workers are now focused on repairing tracks and signals.



MTA New York City Transit / Marc A. Hermann
11/7/12

Electrical components that were damaged by seawater flooding in the L train tunnel.



MTA New York City Transit / Marc A. Hermann
11/7/12



Mon. November 5, 2012



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/5/12

MTA employees using a pump train to remove seawater from the 14th Street tunnel, which is used by the L Train, under the East River. The tunnel was flooded during the unprecedented 13-foot storm surge of Hurricane Sandy.

After the tunnel is pumped dry of water, work will begin to inspect tracks, signals, switches, electrical components, and the third rail.



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/5/12

Two more shots from inside the 14th Street tunnel.



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/5/12



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/5/12

The South Ferry subway station. This station was totally flooded with seawater during Hurricane Sandy's storm surge.



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/5/12



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/5/12

New York City Transit employees worked to restore damaged electrical equipment that is part of the signal system on the R line.



Sat. November 3, 2012



MTA New York City Transit / Leonard Wiggins
11/3/12

The South Ferry subway station was damaged by seawater flooding during Hurricane Sandy. Crews are working to restore the station by pumping out the water.



MTA New York City Transit / Leonard Wiggins
11/3/12



MTA New York City Transit / Leonard Wiggins
11/3/12



Fri. November 2, 2012



South Ferry and Whitehall St Station Condition and Pumping Operations
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
via YouTube
11/2/12



MTA New York City Transit / Leonard Wiggins
11/2/12

Flood water in the Cranberry Street Tunnel, which carries the A and C trains between Brooklyn and Manhattan underneath the East River.

This photo was taken after the MTA had started pumping out this tunnel.  The high water line is visible on the tunnel walls.  (its about level with the photographers camera.) 



MTA New York City Transit / Leonard Wiggins
11/2/12

New York City Transit's Pump Train at work in the Cranberry Street Tunnel.



MTA New York City Transit / Leonard Wiggins
11/2/12

The view from the front of the Pump Train, inside the Cranberry Tube, at about 4:30 p.m.



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/2/12

New York City Transit employees at Dyckman Street pumped water out of Upper Manhattan's section of the A Line. (Note the rust on the rails).



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/2/12



MTA Metro-North Railroad
11/2/12

A signal location that was flooded with saltwater.



Thu. November 1, 2012



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/1/12

On November 1, 2012, subway tunnels under the East River remained out of service after they were flooded during Hurricane Sandy. As a temporary means to allow people across the East River, 330 shuttle buses connected subway and LIRR customers at Barclays Center, MetroTech, and Hewes St. with destinations in Manhattan.



Metropolitan Transportation Authority
11/1/12

Salt water damage to signals on Metro-North's Hudson Line.



Wed. October 31, 2012



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
10/31/12

Employees from MTA Bridges and Tunnels pumping 43 million gallons of water out of each of the tubes of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel).



MTA Metro-North Railroad
10/31/12

A downed signal on the Hudson line.



Tue. October 30, 2012



Metropolitan Transportation Authority
10/30/12

Flood waters in the South Ferry station. Damage to the MTA New York City Transit system in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
10/30/12

The South Ferry subway station after it was flooded by seawater.



Metropolitan Transportation Authority
10/30/12

A boat sitting on Metro-North's tracks near the Ossining, NY Station.



MTA Metro-North Railroad / Al Cecere
10/30/12

Removal of the boat.



MTA Metro-North Railroad / Al Cecere
10/30/12



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
11/30/12

A view of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (formerly known as the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel). The tunnel flooded during Hurricane Sandy.



Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin
10/30/12

Debris litters the tracks near Metro-North's Irvington, NY station in Sandy's aftermath.



MTA New York City Transit / Leonard Wiggins
10/30/12

Damage on the New York City Subway's Rockaway Line (A train).



Metropolitan Transportation Authority
10/30/12

The MTA Staten Island Railway Clifton Shop, in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.




Hurricane Sandy Recovery
105 images

Hurricane Sandy - November 2-4, 2012
67 images

Hurricane Sandy - November 1, 2012
28 images

Hurricane Sandy - October 31, 2012
57 images

Hurricane Sandy - October. 30, 2012
41 images