Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority Patrick Cashin
As the $60 billion Sandy aid package finally gets doled out, it is interesting to see how that mountain of money actually gets spent. A New York Post editorial highlights how Governor Andrew Cuomo intends to spend $6 billion worth of the pie on water-proofing the city’s subway system.
On top of the $6 billion set aside to figure out a way to somehow make sure the subway doesn’t get flooded again, the MTA is also receiving $4.8 billion in federal funds for general Sandy repairs. The Post editorial takes aim at Cuomo and the MTA for trumping up the damage estimates to ensure the biggest federal payout possible.
For example, when accessing the damage to the A train tracks in the Rockaways, the MTA guessed that they would need $650 million. Construction on that line is nearly finished and will open at the end of the month. In Cuomo’s actual budget released at the end of March, the cost so far has only amounted to $17.9 million. According to the Post, something isn’t adding up:
From photo op to photo op, there’s no reconciliation between huge initial numbers and later smaller ones. But this seeming opposite of a massive cost overrun isn’t that surprising — and it’s more Cuomo’s fault than the MTA’s.
Last year, the MTA was under huge pressure to announce huge numbers, fast — or watch the state lose out on federal aid. And now that the state has secured that cash, no one much cares what happens to it. After all, the money was free.
The cost overruns are creating questions as to where the money earmarked for the ‘water-proofing’ plan is going and how exactly it will be spent. While officials have solutions on how to protect above ground subways from storm surges by building protective walls, they have less of a clear picture on how to protect the underground portion of the system.
At a recent press conference, MTA chief Tom Prendergast admitted that he has no idea how to prevent flooding in places like Lower Manhattan, which has over 500 flood entry points alone.
The Post noted that many ideas floated to protect the underground subway are practical and low on cost, like installing deployable watertight grates across vents and stairways and placing inflatable bladders in key locations. Despite this, the Post is guessing that Cuomo and the MTA will likely favor a more expensive and futuristic idea that makes full use of the billions headed their way.
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
The MTA has announced scheduled overnight closures of the pedestrian walkway at Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.
The walkway will be closed each night between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning Monday, May 20 through Friday, May 24. Workers will be replacing 2,500-square-feet of protective overlay along the walkway.
Photos by and courtesy of Allan Rosen
THE COMMUTE: In early 2012, we reported on confusing Department of Transportation (DOT) parking and traffic regulations and on confusing and outdated signage mentioning the taxi stand on Brighton Beach Avenue. That stand is not even listed in DOT’s database of taxi stands so apparently they are unaware of its existence.
In January 2013, DOT — realizing the problems with existing signage that were causing unnecessary confusion — unveiled a new format for parking regulatory signs, which shortly thereafter began to make their appearance in Manhattan. A consultant was hired who devised what you see here.
Click here to see the photo and continue reading.
Source: sszdl/Flickr
What? Another week with no service adjustments on the B line? And just minimal ones on the Q and F lines? Wowzer, maybe I didn’t see the pigs flying through all the fog over the weekend.
Q LINE
From 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m., Tuesday to Friday, Coney Island-bound Q trains are rerouted via the R from Canal St to DeKalb Av.
F LINE
From 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday to Friday, 179 St-bound F trains run express from W 4 St to 34 St-Herald Sq.
Source: trams aux fils/Flickr
Pretty smooth sailing for weekend subway trips. But, really, why would you leave the neighborhood when we have a parade on Saturday and Bayfest on Sunday? Stay and support local businesses!
Q LINE
From midnight tonight until 5 a.m. Monday, 57 St/7 Av-bound Q trains stop at 49 St.
F LINE
From 9:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, Jamaica-bound F trains are rerouted via the M from 47-50 Sts to Queens Plaza.
Additionally, from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, Jamaica-bound F trains skip Fort Hamilton Pkwy, 15 St-Prospect Park, and 4 Av-9 St.
Source: GlacierTim/Flickr
A messy ride for nighttime Q train riders, as well as F train riders in general. The B train riders are making them look like chumps, having no service disruptions at all. Here are this week’s subway service advisories.
Q LINE
During the day, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, there will be no Q trains between 57 St-7 Av and Ditmars Blvd. Take the N instead.
Night time riders have it a little harder – again. From 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday to Friday, Q service operates in two sections:
- Between 57 St-7 Av and Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr.
- Between Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr and Stillwell Av, every 30 minutes.
- To continue your trip, transfer via passageway at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr.
F LINE
The F skips a whole bunch o’ stops this week.
From 10 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday, Coney Island-bound F trains skip Sutphin Blvd, Van Wyck Blvd, and 75 Av.
From 11:45 p.m. to 5 a.m., Monday to Friday, 179 St-bound F trains run express from W 4 St to 34 St-Herald Sq.
From 9:45 p.m. to 5 a.m., Tuesday to Friday, 179 St-bound F trains skip 75 Av, Van Wyck Blvd, and Sutphin Blvd.
Finally, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Tuesday to Friday, Coney Island-bound F trains run local from 71 Av to 21 St-Queensbridge.
A portion of the ceiling crumbled onto the 18th Avenue N train platform this morning. Repairs for the station are not scheduled until October 2014. (Photo by Brian Hedden)
THE COMMUTE: I’m not talking about crime, but rather the other type of safety. Will the subway derail? Will a chunk of the ceiling fall on your head? Will the train fall off of an elevated bridge? Will the platform crumble because of inadequate supports? That type of safety.
If your first reaction is that the chance of something like that happening is slim to none, think again. After all, we rely on government to make sure the food and water we drink is safe and that the subways are safe, too. We do that through periodic inspections of infrastructure and equipment. But are these performed in an adequate and timely manner to ensure we are protected and problems fixed before they become life threatening?
We would like to think so.
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Source: Bricknave/Flickr
Q LINE
NIGHTS: 12:01 AM to 5 AM, Sat to Mon, May 11 – 13
57 St/7 Av-bound Q trains stop at 49 St.
F LINE
11:45 PM Fri to 5 AM Mon, May 10 – 13
Jamaica-bound F trains run express from Church Av to Jay St-MetroTech.
Source: Perline via Wikimedia Commons
Some good new for B and Q line riders: the rest of the week should be clear of any planned service interruptions or delays. Late-night F riders do have to be mindful of a few alterations.
F Train
Starting tonight, from 11:45 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., Tuesday to Friday, May 7 to May 10, here are the following service changes.
- Jamaica-bound F trains will skip 14 St and 23 St Stations.
- For service to these stations take the F to 34 St-Herald Sq and transfer to a downtown E or F train
- For service from these stations, take the E or F to W 4 St and transfer for a Jamaica-bound F.
Happy trails, subway friends!
A vintage Brooklyn bus map. Source: Enframe Photography
THE COMMUTE: There are two schools of thought on this. One is that changes should be made incrementally as the need arises. That is known as ad-hoc planning. The other is that changes should be made using a comprehensive approach by periodically studying all the routes for deficiencies, for example, once every 10 years, by performing origin-destination surveys and using other data.
Continue Reading »
