Subway Construction Updates

Sam Schwartz Engineering recently released a schedule for Second Avenue subway construction through March 29. Work on the East 96th Street station will span East 95th to 100th streets. Between East 97th and East 100th streets, workers will install a Con Edison duct bank and manhole. Work on those blocks also includes the beginning of pavement and sidewalk restoration; installation of a 12-inch water main and a 30-inch gas main; and excavation of a storm drain. The dismantling of the Century Lumber building will continue between East 96th and 97th streets. A building support system is slated to be installed, and a 30-inch gas main will be excavated and installed. Workers will begin soil grouting, a construction method used to stabilize soil for additional work, on Second Avenue between East 95th and 96th streets. Workers will be working two shifts Monday through Friday, and full shifts on Saturday, in order to complete the work. Sewer structures will also be constructed on the northeast side of East 95th Street. Excavation for the launch box continues with the installation of a concrete base and support beams for the vertical conveyor system between East 92nd and 94th streets. Between East 91st and 93rd streets, there will be controlled blasting at the south end of the launch box, as well as the removal of blasting debris. Mining of the two 40-foot starter tunnels will begin at East 91st and 92nd streets, as well as exploratory borings south of the launch box. The launch box is 90 percent complete and is expected to be finished this month. Work will continue on the East 86th Street station between East 82nd and 87th streets. This work primarily involves the construction and installation of several Con Edison manholes and duct banks, as well as a tie-in of a 12-inch gas main between East 83rd and 84th streets. Workers will also be removing sidewalk work zones in order to create a future traffic lane between East 82nd and 84th streets. Work on shaft sites between East 69th and 73rd streets will continue, with controlled blasting of a 35-foot diameter shaft and the removal of blasting debris between East 71st and 73rd streets. Workers will prepare for controlled blasting between East 69th and 70th streets by installing ring beams and excavating the shaft to expose rock. Controlled blasting is scheduled to continue for approximately five months. The sidewalk width on the east side of Second Avenue will be reduced to 7 feet in all work zones. There is no standing at any time in work zones. There is no standing on the west side of Second Avenue, except for trucks loading and unloading between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking is permitted on the west side of Second Avenue between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. weekdays, and all day Saturday and Sunday between East 68th and 77th streets, and between East 80th and 95th streets. 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.