Hello there. The tunnel rehabilitation work is still ahead of schedule. But what about the other promised accessibility and capacity work? We're still doing this work, as we said we would. That was the focus of an announcement we made earlier this week, and it's also the subject of this week's L Project Weekly.
Read on for: details on what improvements you're getting; a full schedule of service changes so you can plan ahead; and answers to a few frequently asked questions.
Thanks for sticking with us while we make our system more accessible for all New Yorkers.
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Explainer: The 5 things you need to know about this week's news
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There's a lot of work happening for the L Project, and we know sometimes all you want to know is "when is the L running and what should I do if it's not?!" So we're breaking down this week's announcement about accessibility and capacity work on the L.
Here's everything you need to know:
1. The revised L Project tunnel rehabilitation plan is working: Service has continued due to the new approach, meaning 88% of you who use the L during the weekdays see no change at all.
2. We are now able to schedule work for some of the additional accessibility and capacity projects we promised we would do under the original L Project scope.
3. The main two projects we're starting work on are:
- New Union Square L platform escalator: This platform is one of the most congested in our entire subway system. The two recently redesigned and rebuilt stairs from the L to the NQRW platforms have helped. But the new escalator will dramatically decrease the issue—the escalator we've designed can move up to 92 people per minute (!) from the platform.
- Accessibility initiative at 14 St-6 Av Station, starting with the L and then the F/M platform. We're first building two elevators from the street to the mezzanine, and then two from the mezzanine to the L platform. The F/M will then get another two elevators, for a total of six between the L and F/M.
4. To make improvements in a 24/7 system, we have to close service sometimes, as you know. Here's what our fall service changes on the L will be so we can do this work:
- Weekend of Sept. 13-16, 2019: No L service between 8 Av and Broadway Junction. Alternate service details are here.
- October/November 2019: Approximately three to five weeks of weeknights and weekends with no L service at 8 Av or 14-6 Av Stations. We'll update you with dates as soon as possible.
- Additional times on nights and weekends in fall 2019: Bypassing Union Square station. We'll update you as dates and times are set.
5. We're still doing the other planned work to make upgrades at select Brooklyn stations. The details of the previously released service changes are also on the L Project service change page.
Want more details? Read the full press release by clicking the button below.
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The news came out on Wednesday, and we've already had some thoughtful questions come in, because (as usual) you all are the best. Here are a few with our answers:
Will the extra service options be the same as when there were other weekend L closures earlier in the year?
Yes. Full details are here, including accessible travel directions. It includes two shuttle buses in Brooklyn, that special M service you've been using already, extra M14 SBS, and more Gs and more 7s, depending on when you're traveling.
When will the Union Square escalator project be completed?
We need the full track and platform access to dig the pit for one weekend. After that, we'll be working behind a blue barricade on the platform. Fun tidbit: this barricade will actually be slightly narrower than the one we previously had up when we fully demolished and rebuilt the two stairs (between the L and NQRW platforms). The escalator will be totally ready for you in the spring of 2020.
Why do we need to close L service between 8 Av and Broadway Junction for that one weekend?
The service change is so we can dig the pit for the new escalator at Union Square (L platform). This requires full track and station access because we'll have a work train coming in with structural steel and then removing rock from the pit. We'll also be making the most of the service change and advancing the work we've been doing at Brooklyn stations. Brooklyn customers: we'll keep you posted if we're able to reduce the weeknights/weekends we're planning to work.
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Glamour shot of the week: Before and after, track edition
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Continuing with our theme of progress, here's a nice before-and-after shot of the tracks, taken at the same place in the tube. If you couldn't tell, it's before we started work cleaning up what Superstorm Sandy did (left), and after (right). We've completed all of the new tracks and ties in the first tube. Fun fact: the new rails we installed are continuous welded rail, which not only means a smoother ride, but also allow us to run trains at faster speeds safely.
Photos: Trent Reeves / MTA Capital Construction / March 2019 (left) and August 2019 (right)
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Construction look-ahead: Week of 9/7/19
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Tunnel lighting and more conduit installation, and testing starts for the new discharge lines. Here's the summary of what our teams are doing in the week ahead:
- Continue the mortar and tile work on the 1 Av Station platform
- Replace "no clearance" signs with brand new ones
- Work on the platform edges at Bedford Av
- Continue preparing and installing the structural FRP panels; working from Avenue D to N 7th in several places
- Continue tunnel lighting installation: install tunnel lighting brackets, straps and boxes, and pull new tunnel lighting and power feeder cables
- Continue conduit work: core drill at the pump room for conduits and pipes, and at Bedford Av for communications cables; install conduit and emergency lighting fixtures on the platform at Bedford Av; install conduit and heat/wire trace panels at North 7th fan plant; install wireway conduit and lights for Avenue A south entrance; install new conduit for fire alarm on the mezzanine at 1 Av
- Continue rail work: Install new third rail gap jumpers in two places; weld negative return 4th rail joints
- Work on fiber cables: connect the communications and fiber and relocate LAN fiber
- Test the new discharge line on the Manhattan side
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