Queens Midtown Tunnel Repair, Restoration, Rehabilitation Projects Manhattan Community Board 6 Transportation Committee - June 2, 2014
Opened to traffic in 1940 Two parallel tubes (North & South), each approx. 1.6 miles in length Vital regional commuter and commerce link connects midtown Manhattan to Queens (LIC) and Long Island Expressway (LIE) Three Manhattan plazas Avg daily traffic: 75,000 vehicles E-Zpass customers: +85% Queens Midtown Tunnel MTA B&T Special Archive
12 million gallons of contaminated water flooded QMT. Approximately 40% of tunnel length completely submerged Corrosive salt water damaged all major tunnel elements and critical systems QMT Engineers, Maintainers, Operations, Technology staff worked 24/7 on essential repairs to reopen by Nov. 6 th 2012 Immediate mitigations in place for future storms; long-term plans in development Super Storm Sandy and QMT Water rising in Queens toll plaza during worst of Sandy
The Plan Several major projects have been realigned with the Capital Program to address Sandy restoration in order to minimize impacts on customers and neighbors
Tentative Construction Schedule Sandy Repair projects estimated start: Mid-2015 Duration: approx 48 months Scheduled series of nighttime + weekend tube and lane closures* *Tunnel remains open at all times; at least one tube will always run two-way traffic Manhattan-bound tube work done first Manhattan Exit Plaza Rehab within same time-frame for maximum efficiency & shorter impact time Queens-bound repair work follows completion of other tube
Scope of QMT Projects Environmental clean-up Concrete and leak repairs Roadway and air duct lighting Walls, tiles, ceiling panels, polymer panels Catwalk, curb, railing; duct bank replacement Fire line replacement Conduits; cable relocation Asbestos abatement Safety improvements (emergency way-finding) Cathodic protection system and monitoring stations Communication systems: CCTV, phone, traffic signal control Manhattan Exit Plaza roadway, ramp & drainage repairs; safety improvements 6
Tunnel Elements and Systems Affected by Sandy Environmental Cleaning of Concrete Liner Exhaust Air Port Replace Tunnel Lighting Re-line High Tension Splice Conduits Replace Fire Standpipe Encased in Concrete Liner Walls of Tunnel Ceiling Hanger Improvements Environmental Cleaning of Concrete Roadway Ceiling Replace Veneer Ceiling Panels Replace Roadway Wall Tiles Modify and Re-install Railings Fire Station Roadway Walls Replace Catwalks Repair Steel-faced Curbs and Gutters Rehabilitate Fresh Air Flues Replace Low Tension Splice Chambers Replace Precast Polymer Concrete Panels Maintain Roadway Pavement Environmental Cleaning of Concrete Liner 7
Replacement All new wall tiles Increased washing effectiveness High reflectivity Tunnel Wall Tiles
Catwalk and Duct Replacement; Traffic & Communication Controls MTA B&T Special Archive
Upgrade to LED Lighting: Longer life, Less Maintenance NEW LED LIGHTING REPLACEMENT OF TUNNEL LIGHTS AND CONTROLS DUE TO SANDY DAMAGE ROADWAY (LED) EXHAUST AIR DUCT (LED) FRESH AIR DUCT (LED) QMT
Fire Line System Proposed Replacement System Install new fire hose valves Replace embedded fire line Upgraded system will meet new codes Capability to run 4 fire hoses at 250 gallons per min = 1000 gpm Increase valve pressure rating
Upgraded Tunnel Closed Circuit TV Existing cameras will be replaced with upgraded equipment for improved image clarity CURRENT Additional cameras to be installed for enhanced coverage FUTURE SIMULATED
Safety Improvements Way-finding enhancements: exit signs, lights, phones to facilitate emergency evacuation
Manhattan Exit Plaza Roadway Repairs
Rehabilitation work will address most deteriorated areas including 36 th St. ramp Roadway Repairs Jt. D700 Full- & partial-depth joint repairs Injection of grout to control groundwater intrusion Hydro-demolition Critical area requiring full depth repairs on joints and base slab Bay 1 Bay 2 Bay 3
Proposed Traffic Mitigation in Manhattan Allow two-way traffic on East 37 th Street (adding eastbound) at the tunnel exit to facilitate traffic onto 2 nd Ave Two normal west-direction lanes reversed to eastbound direction Adjust signal timing on 2 nd Ave at E.37 th, E.35 th, and E.34 th Streets to facilitate flow of traffic to and from Downtown Manhattan/2 nd Ave Prohibit two lanes of traffic on E.35 th Street from going east direction (left turn) between tunnel exit ramp and 2 nd Ave. Traffic would either go straight to E.34 th Street, or turn right onto E.35 th Street
Proposed Traffic Mitigation in Manhattan
Proposed Detour Plan First two years of construction Nighttime North (Manhattan-bound) tube closure: 2-way traffic will run in South (Queens-bound) tube This is the same set-up for normal weekday morning rush hours Next two years Nighttime South (Queens-bound) tube closure: 2-way traffic will run in North (Manhattan-bound) tube Queens-bound traffic will be detoured onto 2 nd Ave and E.34 th or E.35 th Street to the North tube entrance Normal tunnel entrance at 2 nd Ave/E.36 th Street Traffic management NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agents (TEAs) will be deployed at tunnel entrances and exits to direct traffic as needed Additional detour and electronic message signs will be deployed as needed
Proposed Traffic Detour in Manhattan (South Tube)
Project Considerations and Coordination Traffic management: detour route and signage plan during lane/tube closure periods to minimize traffic and residential impact Provide enhanced NYPD Traffic Enforcement Agent (TEA) coverage Interagency coordination with MTA New York City Transit, NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)/OCMC Bus/HOV operations maintained to and from QMT Communication with Community Bds & Elected Officials; regular project status updates; www.mta.info customer traffic info Minimize inconvenience to neighbors and QMT customers Safety is paramount!
Thank You