Look at the picture, it is a curve. The cars on the train make a chord, a different geometric concept. There will always be a gap, fine tuning, precision movement, with real good modern equipment on that track layout you can hold it to three inches. But Jesus “bunch of dopes”, over three weeks and $200,000?

There is so much corruption, deceipt and “it’s-not-my-job mentality” among many organizations across the board; and that’s one of the main reasons why our economy is in such bad shape today. The same attitidue permeates our entire society…. so we shouldn’t be surprised that people are now producing at the same capacity as workers in Third World nations like Ecuador- slackers! Nobody gives…..

Perhaps whosoever is responsible should just simply- hang, the way they used to do it ages ago, in places like Rome or in the Middle Ages across Europe. I know, I know… that won’t get the project fixed any faster, but at least that way, in the past when heads rolled (literally) those “bad” genes were kept out of the “good” gene pool, and ensured our species’ overall EVOLUTION.

Besides, we’ve got too many people draining the planet anyway…. LOL

1) Was this gap screw up a contractor error, a design error or a combination of both? What sort of post project debriefing will be held to draw out the lessons of the project so that they can be applied to future projects?

2) Are MTA contractors working under positive incentives, like completion bonuses and negative incentives like liquidated damges per day past the completion date?

3) The MTA now has enough “mega projects” underway, that it should be able to create a more realistic formula for predicting cost overun percentages and schedule overruns.

4) Does MTA Capital Construction have an Engineer in Charge/ Project Manager/ Construction Superintendent on site at all times there looking out for the MTA’s best interests?

5) What sort of independent review of the design documents does the MTA perform? Is there a detailed and thorough review by qualified design personel not directly involved in the actual design to provide a sanity check for the design?

6) In regard to the gap issue, why can’t they just shim out the existing rubbing boards with something that doesn’t have to be custom made. Like stick some medium density fiberboard, plate steel, or a couple of washers in there and be done with it.

There were sound reasons for closing down the Els, but new subway lines were supposed to replace them—and to date those lines have not been built.