Shortline Bus Posted July 22, 2009 Share #1 Posted July 22, 2009 Here news story. Second avenue subway delayed again By Heather Haddon-AM New York July 22, 2009 Surprise! The Second Avenue Subway has been delayed one more year after hitting another snarl. The new T line, designed to provide much-needed relief on the East Side, is now expected to debut December 2016, nearly four years later than the first section was originally slated to open, the MTA confirmed Tuesday. Delays could further postpone it until the summer of 2017. That's bad news for straphangers as well as businesses along Second Avenue that have already suffered through months of drilling and blasting. At least a dozen businesses have closed since the work began in April 2007, owners said Tuesday. “It's a disaster,” said Omar Lahom, 40, partner in a falafel restaurant on Second Avenue. “When you go outside, it makes you feel desperate.” The subway will help relieve the severe overcrowding on the No. 4, 5 and 6 lines. Last year, the MTA bumped back the project's deadline to 2015. But an overheated construction market and a limited pool of contractors forced the agency to push back the deadline and revise its budget, MTA officials said. Additionally, building reinforcement walls for the stations has taken twice as long as the contractor expected, sources said. The latest snag is typical for a project that was first envisioned in 1920 and has been off and on for almost a century. “I don't think I will live long enough to see it end,” said Willy Ellis, 68, a No. 6 train rider. The subway's $4 billion budget is expected to grow by $100 million, though costs could further balloon. The East Side Access project, which will provide LIRR service to Grand Central Terminal, will also be postponed to 2016. The revisions come after MTA’s year-long review of the risks associated with the two massive projects. A spokesman said the new timeline is “realistic and achievable.” “We are committed to completing these projects,” the MTA said. The cost spillovers will be accounted for in the 2010-14 capital plan, officials said. Transit advocates weren't surprised about the setbacks. “If there's going to be a delay, it's going to be more than a few months,” said William Henderson, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. c)2009 AM New York/Cablevision,Inc. Anastasia Economides contributed to this story. Reactions? FYI. Ms Haddon does read stories on these boards and if you have a story idea call her office at Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Posted July 22, 2009 Share #2 Posted July 22, 2009 There already is a discussion about this story at the link below: http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11723 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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