Crews continue fortification work on NYCT Cranberry Tube

The Cranberry Tube was flooded during Superstorm Sandy. Nearly three years later, NYCT is still performing “Fix and Fortify” work protect against future storms.

MTA New York City Transit/Leonard Wiggins

The Cranberry Tube, which carries the A and C Lines between Lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, will be shut down in both directions for 40 non-consecutive weekends for Superstorm Sandy-related repairs.

Work started over the course of three weekends in July on Manhattan-bound tracks. The MTA estimates a total of 40 weekends of intensive work is required for the repairs, with full weekend shutdowns scheduled to take place between summer 2015 and summer 2016.

The work in the Cranberry Tube is necessary to fix the severe damage caused by the storm surge that flooded the tunnel during Superstorm Sandy. More than 1.5 billion gallons of salt water infiltrated the length of the tunnel, which runs nearly 5,800 feet long. The water damaged tracks, signals, pumping equipment, electrical equipment and switches. In the immediate aftermath of Sandy, temporary repairs allowed a fast and safe return to service, but a thorough examination of the tunnel’s components determined that it required permanent repair, plus upgrades and fortification of the 82-year-old tunnel against future severe weather.

Components that will be fixed, installed or rebuilt include power and communications cables; ducts and duct banks; pump rooms and related equipment; fan plants; substation; circuit breaker house and signals. The repairs will be made incrementally during the weekend closures, with projects completed in time for the resumption of early weekday service.

The work in the Cranberry Tube is the fourth major Sandy-related tunnel repair project undertaken by the MTA so far. Repairs were completed in 2014 on the Montague Tube, which carries the R Line, and the Greenpoint Tube, which carries the G Line; work is ongoing on the Steinway Tube, which carries the 7 Line.