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On August 6, 2008, Andrew Albert, Chair of the NYCTRC, spoke to reporters about the Council’s new report, Unwelcome Mats, a survey of conditions in 50 NYC subway stations. One of the worst stations is 149th St. and Grand Concourse through which nearly 40,000 riders travel daily. This station has been neglected for years and is not listed for renovation in any future MTA capital plan. The station’s miserable condition is a poor gateway to the Bronx neighborhood it serves, which ironically is designated as an economic redevelopment zone trying to attract new businesses and residents.
The report makes a number of recommendations for financial and enforcement strategies that spread the burden of maintaining these vital assets across the many stakeholders: New York State, MTA/NYC Transit, New York City, developers, and the communities and businesses that benefit from close proximity to subway service. To read the full report click here. |
Below, William Guild and Andrew Albert of the NYCTRC and Patrick Gallahue of the New York Post observe the crumbling infrastructure at 149th Street and Grand Concourse subway station.
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Source: MTA
In keeping with its interest in station conditions (see related story on the newly released station condition survey, Unwelcome Mats) the NYCTRC hosted Seymour Portes, NYC Transit Program Officer – Capital Program Management, at their July meeting. He noted that 222 stations have been addressed since 1982, with more than 100 of them dealt with since 2000. Of the remaining stations, four stations are in the construction phase, 46 are in the design phase, 16 are in the planning phase, and 180 stations are scheduled to be addressed in the years after 2009.
Mr. Portes reviewed the list of projects that have been delayed:
- 4 stations on the Sea Beach Line, delayed until 2012; the work on these stations is funded from the current Capital Program.
- 10 stations on the West End Line, delayed until 2010; these stations will be included in the next Capital Program.
- 4 stations on the Pelham Line, delayed until 2011; these stations are expected to be included in the next Capital Program.
- Smith/9th Street, delayed until 2010; this work has been delayed by the pace of other rehabilitation work and is not waiting for the next Capital Program.
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Mr. Portes explained that the rising water table in some sections of the City makes water intrusion a significant issue in trying to maintain the infrastructure for the subway system. |
Prior to the July Council meeting, NYCTRC Chair Andrew Albert, new MTA Board member, Doreen Frasca, and Seymour Portes of MTA Capital Program management, toured several stations on NYC Transit, to view the condition of stations that were scheduled to be deferred in the MTA's current Capital Program, but which had been scheduled to go into construction. In some cases, the stations were deferred only a short time, such as Smith‑9th Street, which will see a delay of approximately 11–13 months. In other cases, the stations were deferred into the next Capital Program, which at this time is unfunded. Further, some stations, which had been placed in the "deferred" category, were changed to "delayed", because they could not possibly have begun on schedule, or had mitigating circumstances. For example, the New Utrecht and the 18th Avenue stations on the "N" line, which front onto private property, await easement agreements for their retaining walls.
Mr. Albert reports that the tour began at Smith‑9th Street station on the F, G lines, the highest station in the system. The platforms are in a state of disrepair, as are the canopies, which show the effect of unchecked water damage over the years. Some have holes in them, providing little shelter for riders. Grass is growing up through the platforms, and the platform edges are uneven. The station house itself needs much work, and work has begun to shore up the huge columns which support the station. As mentioned before, this station will undergo a complete renovation, but that will be delayed, as other work is done first.
Also visited were the 71st Street station on the D/M lines, a side‑by‑side local‑type station, clearly needing work, will be deferred. Construction on the New Utrecht Ave and 18th Avenue N line open‑cut stations will be delayed due to easement agreements that must be worked out with adjacent homeowners. There is evidence of water damage, which has caused massive cracks in the walls, crumbling canopies, and tons of peeling paint. These two stations, even though open to the outside, are dreary.
The next stop was Ave H on the Brighton line (Q). This is a delightful old‑fashioned station house that has been allowed to decay to an almost criminal extent. Huge holes in the ceiling of the station house allow water to penetrate, and the walls that support the tracks have huge cracks in them. This station WILL be getting a much‑needed renovation, and the historic station house will be restored to pristine condition.
Several stations on the Pelham (#6) line were also visited, all exhibiting the ubiquitous peeling paint, water damage, cracks and holes. Mr. Albert noted that had these stations gotten the timely painting and waterproofing throughout the decades of neglect, these renovations would cost a fraction of current estimates.
Source: MTA
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Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA
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