The East Side Access Project Discussion (ESA)

[mirrodie]

http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/04/ ... s-project/


Thought some might enjoy.

[jlr3266]

What a sloppy article. Facts are combined like a tossed salad. The ground freeze for the Northern Blvd tunnel mixed with the TBM work; talk about men working in compressed air to excavate, which would defeat the point of modern pressure-faced TBM's. They may have to enter the face under pressure for repairs, but that is it.

And, unless a spare TBM was put in the hole over the weekend, Molina is still sitting pretty waiting for launch.

[Amtrak7]

According to the LIRR committee meeting video, they are "burying" the Manhattan TBM at 37th St by turning it left when its done and not removing it.

[JoshKarpoff]

There are 2 TBMs being used in Manhattan: The SELI and the Robbins. Which one is to be left in place after the project is completed?

[Amtrak7]

I think Robbins, but the meeting refers to it as TBM A, IIRC.

[Tommy Meehan]

http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/04/ ... s-project/

Thought some might enjoy.

Thanks I did enjoy reading it. Some nice photos too.

Does anyone know the mileage involved? From the main line jct to the new station?

The article says 5.7 miles I think but I saw a different (and longer) figure in another publication.

[jlr3266]

3.5 Route Miles / 24 Track Miles

[digitalsciguy]

http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/04/ ... s-project/


Thought some might enjoy.

OMG SOOO MUCH CONSTRUCTO-PORN. While the costs of this project have more than doubled since the original estimate, it's small beans compared to the amount Boston had to pay for its own constructo-porn project. Also, it'll do a lot more for traffic and environmental mitigation, though I challenge that investment in commuter rail (as opposed to transit) makes it easier for people to live farther away from sustainable urban/walkable centers and actually permits/excuses people to increase their carbon footprint, but those ancillary effects are certainly less than the induced auto traffic through and around downtown Boston because of the improved access... aaaaanyway, thanks again for the link!

How often does the MTA/is the MTA obligated to update the public on this project? The Capital Construction pages are rather sleepy...

[SwingMan]

My train from Port Washington was stopped over the Amtrak loop yesterday and I saw what appeared to be the beginning of a tunnel exit.

My question is, is this a lead into a lay-up yard for trains, or is it something else?

[jlr3266]

Yep. That is the portal/approach from the Yard Lead Tunnel that connects to former Yard A, where the ESA fleet will be stored during midday.

[digitalsciguy]

Any regular commuters who can/already keep a daily photo log of progress?

[Head-end View]

Where exactly is Yard A located?

[SwingMan]

Where exactly is Yard A located?

Behind Sunnyside Yard. It used to be a major freight yard, and is currently used for all kinds of construction material.

[jlr3266]

The first of the two soft-ground Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM's) in Queens started up over a week ago.

[nyrmetros]

Any updates?