While most of our attention was on the Atlantic Yards plans, WNYC spent some time checking in with the MTA’s current 7 line expansion project. Matthew Schuerman interviewed Joe Trainor, the MTA’s chief engineer on the project, and it sounds as though the crews are making good progress. According to Trainor, by working with the Port Authority, MTA crews were able to work around the clock under Port Authority to build some of the tunnel-boring machine exits. Originally expected to take two or three years, this part of the project wrapped up in six months due to the inter-agency cooperation. Still, Trainor thinks the 2013 deadline the MTA has set for itself represents a lofty, if perhaps unrealistic, goal. [WNYC]
With ambitious timeline, 7 line extension progressing apace
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5 comments
I think the progress is a result of accountability. This project lies squarely on the Bloomberg administration’s shoulders, and Bloomberg will likely take the heat for any major problems or delays that arise from it. He will surely do what needs to be done to get this project done on time and on budget.
the rapid progress has nothing to do with bloomberg. it is because it is a design-build project with a good contractor and a good design engineer. the more you can leave the mta and their designers out of it, the faster it will get built.
If this means the TBMs will get in the ground faster, then once the tunnels are bored then a major landmark will have been set and it will be easier to keep on track.
have to agre with number 3’s comment. my background is design and construction and i have to say that while there are many, many reasons why a project can be delayed, there are not many explainations as to why the MTA has such a bad record with construction projjects. is it funding, unforeseen site conditions or is it the GC and the project manager?
how many internal deadlines do you have to miss before you re-evaluate the entire schedule?
[…] late June, when the MTA stuck with its 2013 target date for revenue service along the 7 line extension, news from the Far West Side has been scarce. […]