2nd Ave. Subway Construction Updates

Sam Schwartz Engineering recently released a schedule for Second Avenue subway construction through April 19. Work on the 96th Street Station will span East 95th to 100th streets. Workers will install a Con Edison duct bank and a manhole at East 99th Street, and restore sections of pavement and sidewalk. Between East 97th and 99th streets, projects include the installation of a 12-inch water main, backfilling a sewer trench and excavating a storm drain and a 30-inch gas main. The dismantling of the Century Lumber building continues, as well as the installation of a building support system, a 30-inch gas main and an 18-inch sewer at East 96th Street. Soil grouting, a construction method used to stabilize soil for additional work, continues along Second Avenue between East 95th and 96th streets. Work will occur in two shifts Monday through Friday, with a full shift Saturdays to complete the project. Sewer structures are also under construction on the northeast side of East 95th Street. Launch box work continues between East 91st and 95th streets, with a concrete base and a vertical conveyor system being installed between East 92nd and 94th streets. Between East 91st and 93rd streets, blasting continues to create two 40-foot starter tunnels. The starter tunnels are expected to be completed by mid-April. Just south of the launch box, workers will be performing exploratory borings, starting with East 91st and 92nd streets. Because oversized trucks are only allowed to cross Manhattan bridges during certain hours, some overnight work will be necessary to accept deliveries of large tunnel boring machine components. Also, work underneath decking is permitted 24 hours a day. Work on the 86th Street station continues with the installation of manholes, gas mains and electrical duct banks between East 85th and 87th streets. Traffic will remain on the west side of Second Avenue along this section. Between East 82nd and 84th streets, traffic switches to the east side of Second Avenue. Construction continues on manholes, duct banks and water mains. Workers will be preparing to relocate utilities in the center of Second Avenue between East 78th and 79th streets. Controlled blasting of a 35-foot diameter shaft, and the removal of debris, will take place between East 71st and 73rd streets. The building of a manhole will take place on the southeast corner of East 72nd Street. The installation of ring beams continues between East 69th and 70th streets. Workers will continue excavating the shaft to expose rock and prepare for controlled blasting, which will continue for approximately five months. Workers will also install temporary sidewalk sheds along the block. Subway work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Residents with questions can contact Claudia Wilson at 212-792-9716 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or contact the Second Avenue subway hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 646-252-2670.