The Streets Where We Live

Take the 1 Train

The A train was out of service from 168th to 207th streets this weekend, so Ben and I took the 1 to 215th Street. Take a look at the great footage Ben shot in the tunnel going from 116th Street to 125th.

New York City's subway system can be pretty beautiful.

Updated: 1 Train Service Restored at 181st Street Station

*See message from State Senator Eric Schneiderman below. 

From Martin Collins, community liaison for Assembly Member Ariano Espaillat:   

No. 1 Line Service Restored at 181^st Street

Service Begins at 5 a.m., Monday

 

The 181^st Street station on the No. 1 Line will re-open for service tomorrow morning (Monday, August 31^st) at 5 a.m., in time for the morning rush period.  Train service has either been suspended or bypassing the Washington Heights station since Sunday, August 16th when a portion of the brick ceiling facade fell to the roadbed.   

 

Work over the past weekend was performed by an outside contractor and MTA New York City Transit maintenance personnel to stabilize some additional areas of loose brick and reposition scaffolding to maximize space along the platforms at both 168^th Street and 181^st Street stations.

However, even with the shifting of the scaffolding, customers should be mindful that room will be limited on the platforms of both stations.  MTA New York City Transit regrets any inconvenience this may have caused our customers.     

*

Dear Friend,

I am happy to report that the181st Street Station on the 1 line has reopened. As of 5:00 am today, subway service, which was disrupted over the last several weeks as a result of the ceiling collapse at the181st Street Station, has been completely restored. 

I understand your frustration with the inconvenience caused by the closure of this station, but I am confident this situation was resolved as quickly and safely as possible.

Sincerely,
Eric T. Schneiderman

1 Train Updates Unknown Until Late Tonight

As if the detour and cancellation of the 1 train couldn't be any more confusing for riders, Martin Collins' (community liaison for Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat) emails that the MTA won't know the status of the train line until late tonight. Riders are urged to check for updates tomorrow morning. You can also follow repair updates and see photos on Twitter @NYCTSubwayScoop. (Thanks to @ssejsllew for that tip!)

From Collins:

The MTA has advised that we are not going to know the service plan for tomorrow morning's service until late tonight and that it is best for everyone to check the MTA webpage www.mta.info, see the trip planner home page at www.tripplanner.mta.info or tune to the media for updates before Monday morning's rush hour.

Man Identified as Suspect in 14 Subway Robberies

Photo from 1010WINS

According to the Associated Press police have identified a suspect for a string of 14 subway robberies in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan, including several instances in Washington Heights and Inwood, since January. The man's name is Rasheen Williams.

The Daily News reports that Williams has 18 prior arrests for petit larceny, trespassing and possession of marijuana. He served eight years in prison for robbery.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the New York City Police Department's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

You can also submit tips through the Crime stoppers Web site.

Service & Repair of 181st Street 1 Train Station Update

Thanks to Martin Collins, community liaison for Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat, for this update:

Repair work continues round-the-clock at the 181st Street IRT station. All the debris was removed and 1/3 of the protective shield was built.  Unfortunately, this work will take days to complete and the MTA does not anticipate resuming #1 service until perhaps this weekend at the earliest. Additional shuttle buses will be available for the evening rush hour, particularly between 5:30-6:30pm. 

Customers in Upper Manhattan who can use the A Line at stations between 207^th Street and 168^th Street are strongly urged to do so in order to avoid overcrowding on the 1 Line during both the morning and evening rush hour periods.  Until further notice, 1 train service will continue to operate in two sections, with a FREE shuttle bus in operation between affected stations in Upper Manhattan:

• 1 train service will operate in both directions between South Ferry and 168^th St  

• FREE Shuttle buses will operate between 168^th St and Dyckman St 

• 1 train service will operate in both directions between Van Cortlandt Park – 242^nd St and Dyckman St, skipping 207^th Street.  Customers at 207^th Street should use the A for downtown service instead.  

• The M3 bus, which operates along St. Nicholas Avenue, will be FARE FREE for northbound customers at 168^th Street; in both directions at 181^st Street; and, southbound at 191^st Street.

Additional Transit personnel will be on hand at both the 168^th Street and Dyckman Street stations on the 1 line to assist customers with travel information.  This suspension in service will continue to have an impact on wheelchair customers who rely on the 1 train.  Those customers are advised to do the following: 

• Customers who use wheelchairs seeking Manhattan bound service at 231^st Street should call 1-800-834-1173 and make arrangements for a shuttle bus to take them to 207^th Street, where they can transfer to the A for downtown service 

• Customers who use wheelchairs heading northbound on the 1 should transfer at 72^nd Street to the M5 bus to 168^th Street.  At 168^th Street they can transfer to a free shuttle bus that will take them to stops heading northbound.  Another option for these customers would be to take the A train to 168^th Street where they can transfer to a FREE shuttle bus that will make all 1 station stops heading northbound

Up to the minute service alerts are available at www.mta.info and by calling 311. Similar information is on the Trip Planner home page at www.tripplanner.mta.info

Service & Repair of 181st Street 1 Train Station Update

Thanks to Martin Collins, community liaison for Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat, for this update: 

UPDATE: See information forwarded by State Sen. Eric Schneiderman's office below.  

MTA NYC Transit Service Advisory
#1 Train Service Suspended 181^st - Dyckman
Repair & Service Update 

Repair work to remove debris and any remaining loose brick from the architectural façade of the ceiling at the 181^st Street station is proceeding around the clock, but more work needs to be completed before 1 train service can resume between the 168^th Street and Dyckman Street stations. 

In order to resume train operation through the 181^st Street station, NYC Transit has enlisted the services of a qualified contractor who will build a protective barrier that will stretch across the track bed and platform in the area of the arched portion of the historic ceiling which suffered a partial collapse Sunday evening.  The barrier will be about 300’ long and 32’ wide at the southern half of the station.  The shielding will consist of metal decking supported on 120, 12-inch deep steel beams spaced three feet apart on centers across the tracks. The beams will be supported by columns erected adjacent to the platform walls.  Temporary lighting will be strung under the shielding.   

Once the shielding is in place, the contractor will use it as a work platform to carefully remove any remaining loose bricks.  We have a consultant on board to conduct a full investigation and design for restoration.  Given the landmark status of the station, the restoration has to be done with sensitivity to preservation requirements. 

Preparatory work has begun in anticipation of the arrival of the steel and other components needed to erect the shield.  The contractor, under the supervision of NYC Transit’s Capital Program Management Department, is moving as expeditiously as possible to complete this work in a safe manner in order to restore service.  Unfortunately, this work will take days to complete, and we do not anticipate resuming 1 service until this weekend.

Travel Advisories

Customers in Upper Manhattan who can use the A Line at stations between 207^th Street and 168^th Street are strongly urged to do so in order to avoid overcrowding on the 1 Line during both the morning and evening rush hour periods.  Until further notice, 1 train service will continue to operate in two sections, with a FREE shuttle bus in operation between affected stations in Upper Manhattan:

·  1 train service will operate in both directions between South Ferry and 168^th St  

·  FREE Shuttle buses will operate between 168^th St and Dyckman St 

·  1 train service will operate in both directions between Van Cortlandt Park – 242^nd St and Dyckman St, skipping 207^th Street.  Customers at 207^th Street should use the A for downtown service instead.  

·  The M3 bus, which operates along St. Nicholas Avenue, will be FARE FREE for northbound customers at 168^th Street; in both directions at 181^st Street; and, southbound at 191^st Street.

Additional Transit personnel will be on hand at both the 168^th Street and Dyckman Street stations on the 1 line to assist customers with travel information.  This suspension in service will continue to have an impact on wheelchair customers who rely on the 1 train.  Those customers are advised to do the following: 

·  Customers who use wheelchairs seeking Manhattan bound service at 231^st Street should call 1-800-834-1173 and make arrangements for a shuttle bus to take them to 207^th Street, where they can transfer to the A for downtown service 

·  Customers who use wheelchairs heading northbound on the 1 should transfer at 72^nd Street to the M5 bus to 168^th Street.  At 168^thStreet they can transfer to a free shuttle bus that will take them to stops heading northbound.  Another option for these customers would be to take the A train to 168^th Street where they can transfer to a FREE shuttle bus that will make all 1 station stops heading northbound

 

UPDATED: 
Dear Friend,

As a result of the ceiling collapse at the 181st Street Station in Washington Heights, subway service is still disrupted for commuters in Northern Manhattan and the Bronx. I share your frustration with this major inconvenience, but rest assured that my office has been in regular contact with the MTA to make sure this situation is resolved as quickly and safely as possible. 

As part of our discussions, the MTA has agreed to provide daily updates on the status of the repairs as well as service advisories. Below please find a copy of today’s update.

Sincerely,
Eric T. Schneiderman

***

MTA NYC Transit Service Advisory

Service Suspended 181st - Dyckman
Repair & Service Update

 
Repair work to remove debris and any remaining loose brick from the architectural façade of the ceiling at the 181st Street station is proceeding around the clock, but more work needs to be completed before 1 train service can resume between the 168th Street and Dyckman Street stations. 

In order to resume train operation through the 181st Street station, NYC Transit has enlisted the services of a qualified contractor who will build a protective barrier that will stretch across the track bed and platform in the area of the arched portion of the historic ceiling which suffered a partial collapse Sunday evening.  The barrier will be about 300’ long and 32’ wide at the southern half of the station.  The shielding will consist of metal decking supported on 120, 12-inch deep steel beams spaced three feet apart on centers across the tracks. The beams will be supported by columns erected adjacent to the platform walls.  Temporary lighting will be strung under the shielding.  

Once the shielding is in place, the contractor will use it as a work platform to carefully remove any remaining loose bricks.  We have a consultant on board to conduct a full investigation and design for restoration.  Given the landmark status of the station, the restoration has to be done with sensitivity to preservation requirements.

Preparatory work has begun in anticipation of the arrival of the steel and other components needed to erect the shield.  The contractor, under the supervision of NYC Transit’s Capital Program Management Department, is moving as expeditiously as possible to complete this work in a safe manner in order to restore service.  Unfortunately, this work will take days to complete, and we do not anticipate resuming 1 service until this weekend. 

Despite claims to the contrary, NYC Transit is keenly aware that the ceiling was in need of repair and restoration.  
Shielding was installed over the bridge and funding was proposed in the MTA Capital Plan amendment submitted in summer of 2008 to address the ceiling condition.  A Master Plan for remediation and repair of a significant portion of the ceiling façade was completed in April, and the design process was started this past June by design consultants/Architects John di Domenico & Partners LP. Funding for the work, provided for in the 2005 – 2009 MTA Capital Program, was approved by the State Legislature this past Friday.  

Design work is scheduled to be completed by December and the award of a construction contract is planned for early 2010.  In addition, there are two other stations (168th Street 1 and 181st Street on the A) with a similar design, but only 168th Street features a brick ceiling. The consultant contract for the 181st Street ceiling will be expanded to include inspection of the 168th Street station as well.  It should be noted that all NYC Transit tunnels and elevated structures are inspected on a yearly basis.

Espaillat and Stringer Call for Quick Clean Up & Safety Survey of 181st Street 1 Train Station

The following press release was issued following a 3 p.m. press conference held by Assembly Member Adriano Espaillat and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in response to the ceiling collapse at the 18st Street 1 train subway station early this morning.

News from New York State Assemblymember Adriano Espaillat
Representing 72nd AD Washington Heights-Inwood and Marble Hill

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Martin Collins
            (646) 895-3703

Ceiling Collapse on IRT 181st Street Station
Paralyzes Subway Service in Northern Manhattan

August 17, 2009 – New York State Assemblymember Adriano Espaillat was joined today by representatives for Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Herman D. Farrell, Jr., and community leaders from the Northern Manhattan communities of Washington Heights-Inwood and Marble Hill in response to last night’s ceiling collapse at the 181^st Street IRT subway station. The collapse has nearly paralyzed transportation services in those areas north of West 168^th Street in Manhattan. The 181^st Street station services thousands of straphangers going to work and connecting to and from the Bronx. Moreover, the collapse has hindered subway service in the following stations: 181^st Street; 191^st Street; Dyckman Street; 207^th Street; 215^th Street; 225^th Street; 231^st Street; 238^th Street; and 242^nd Street.

“While thankfully no straphangers or transit workers were injured in this debacle, crumbling ceilings and weak beams present a horrifying reality for New Yorkers.  The MTA faces extraordinary financial challenges, but this is no excuse to allow the subway system to fall into disrepair.  New York City, state, and MTA leaders must find ways to dedicate money for infrastructure to ensure that this city’s great mass transit system is efficient and safe for the millions of people who ride it daily,” said Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer. 

Assemblymember Espaillat has demanded that the MTA begin an expeditious removal of all debris from the 181^st Street subway tracks and to commence the immediate repair of the station’s ceiling. Espaillat has further asked for the MTA to conduct a safety assessment of the remainder of the subway station’s physical structure, including the arch-bricked ceiling.

As a response to this emergency Assemblymember Espaillat’s office has requested enhanced and free shuttle bus service, including free transfers for all straphangers from 168^th Street to 242^nd Street. This crisis is also expected to impact subway service on the A and C subway lines, which also provide train service for Northern Manhattan. 

The MTA has advised our office of the following:

·         There is no 1 train service between the 168th Street Station and the Dyckman Street Station in both directions. Northbound 1 trains are ending at 168th Street.

·         Shuttle train service is running between 242nd Street and Dyckman Street, making all stops.

·         Shuttle buses are running between Dyckman Street and 168th Street.

·         Customers can also make a free transfer at 168^th Street to the M3 bus.

• Wheelchair passengers may take the free shuttle from 168^th Street to Dyckman Street where the shuttle will continue to make northbound stops all the way to  242^nd  Street.
  

We request the following from the MTA:

·         We asked for a free transfer to the M100 and BX7 bus, which the MTA denied.

·         We request the MTA provide daily updates on the debris removal, repair status, and the timetable for restoration of full service at the 181^st IRT subway station.

·         We request the MTA post signage at all affected stations in English & Spanish in coordination with the NYC Department of Transportation.

·         We request an update from the MTA on the state of its capital budget for all the affected IRT Northern Manhattan subway stations.

For more information you may contact Assemblymember Espaillat’s office at (212) 544-2278 or 311.

####

Changes to the 1 Train This Weekend

The Riverdale Press has great coverage explaining MTA changes to the 1 train this weekend. 

Changes in No. 1 train service announced by MTA

Metropolitan Transit Authority’s service on the No. 1 train will be suspended from 137th Street to 242nd Street from 11:30 p.m. on Friday, July 10 to 5 a.m. on Monday, July 13

Service changes are as follow:

• Customers traveling uptown to Washington Heights are urged to transfer from the 1 at 59th Street-Columbus Circle to the uptown A to 168th Street, then transfer to the M3 bus in the day, or the free St. Nicholas Avenue shuttle bus at night to 181st or 191st Streets.
• For those traveling to the Bronx, the best route would be to transfer at 59th Street to the uptown A and travel to 207th Street, where the free Broadway shuttle makes stops along Broadway to Van Cortland Park at 242nd Street.
• The free Broadway shuttle bus will make stops at 242nd, 238th, 231st, 225th, 207th, and Dyckman Streets. There is a connection to the A at 207th Street or Dyckman Street. The shuttle also makes stops at 191st, 181st, 168th, 157th, 145th and 137th Streets.
• The M3 bus will make stops at the 1 stations at 191st, 181st, and 168th Streets during the day, and the St. Nicholas shuttle bus will pick up those stops at night.
• This service change suspends service at the ADAaccessible No. 1 train station at 231st Street. Those using wheelchairs can call 718-596- 8585 or (TTY) 718-596-8273 for help planning their trip.
• Travelers may contact the Travel Information Center at 718-3301234 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, or log onto www.tripplanner. mta.info. Those with web capable phones can go to www.tripplannre.mta.info/mobile for the free icon for one touch access to the trip planning service.

Water Main Break in Highbridge

Although it is officially not part of Northern Manhattan, many Inwoodites travel to our not-so-distant relative in the Bronx, Kingsbridge. As you may have heard, a water main broke overnight on West 231st Street and Broadway and is now being repaired. As of yet, the authorities do not know how long it will take to get things back to normal. For now, service on the 1 train has not been affected, but the MTA warns that bus service may be delayed. Photos of the clean up appear below.

 

 

What I'm Looking At -- More or Less Related to our Hoods, or not.

Aerial view of Inwood and Washington Heights from MuseumPlanet.com

• 1,875 Northern Manhattan residents were part of a study conducted by Columbia University, which found that "mild cognitive impairment and its progression to Alzheimer's disease were less common in older New Yorkers adhering to the so-called Mediterranean diet." (Med Page Today)
• In the Heights creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is set to be the keynote speaker at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists' 20th annual banquet. (MSNBC.com)
• Looking to move to Washington Heights or Inwood? Pretty good information floating around here. (Live Journal)  
• The city is scrambling to make room for students in the five boroughs and in the meantime frustrating and enraging a lot of local parents, including those whose children attend PS 173 in Inwood. (NY Daily News)
• An indirect consequence of Obama's stimulus plan, which provides families with a $2,500 tax credit for each student enrolled and pours money into city and state infrastructure projects, might put Columbia University in a better position to move forward with its plans to expand into Harlem. (Columbia Spectator) 
• Dominican people have finally been exalted for their contributions to New York City life, writes (in Spanish) a reporter at El Nuevo Diario, but the community has a long way to go in being recognized for their work ethic and professionalism. (El Nuevo Diario, English version here.)