NYCT reopens Greenpoint Tube following five-week closure for repairs

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
image description
Marc A. Hermann/MTA New York City Transit

Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit (NYCT) G Line service was restored on September 2 after a five-week suspension between Court Square and Nassau Avenue for maintenance crews to make Fix&Fortify resiliency repairs to the tubes, which were flooded and badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy nearly two years ago.

 

“The storm’s devastating impact on our subway network posed an enormous challenge which we continue to meet while working daily to rebuild and improve the system,” said NYCT President Carmen Bianco. “Transit personnel from throughout the agency demonstrated an extremely high level of dedication in rebuilding the Greenpoint Tubes and their work is deeply appreciated.”

During the closure, crews from every major division of the Department of Subways worked on installing communication lines, laying new track and third rail, repositioning signals, rebuilding tunnel infrastructure and performing rehabilitation work on adjacent stations.

“The timely resumption of G service and the infrastructure repairs completed during the shutdown is a testament to our team’s hard work,” said Joe Leader, senior vice president, Department of Subways.

The tubes suffered extensive damage during Superstorm Sandy as three million gallons of salt water washed into the tunnel, filling it to the ceiling. Tracks and equipment were totally submerged and the tunnels’ pump controls, electrical, communications, fan control and signal equipment all suffered serious damage. Power cables immersed in salt water corroded from the inside, while corrosion on rails and fasteners increased the potential for delay-causing failures.

Fix&Fortify work to return these and other components to pre-Sandy condition, while providing for improved resiliency and reliability, touched every aspect of the tunnel and its operations.

Crews installed 128,000 feet of cable and wire; removed 27,000 feet of cables and wire; relocated five vulnerable signal locations and restoration of eight signal heads; installed all new tunnel lighting and power receptacles between Greenpoint Av. and 21st Street – Van Alst Stations; installed 9,000 feet of new conduit; completed more than 2,500 feet of structural repairs; replaced 970 feet of ducts; cleaned 9,000 feet of third rail; installed more than14,000 feet of con­tinuous welded rail; cleaned 9,000 feet of roadbed, among many other tasks.

 

Tags: