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MTA Receives $2 Million Federal Grant

Posted by
on October 9th, 2009 at 6:13 pm

Earlier today, the MTA announced it received a $2 million federal grant for the installation of centrally controlled 3rd rail heaters. Here are the complete details courtesy of a press release sent to me by the MTA:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced today it has received $2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funds to install approximately 350 wireless control points linked to rail heaters system-wide. The project will allow these 3rd rail heaters to be remotely monitored and turned on and off from a central control location depending on weather conditions, thus minimizing electricity use and eliminating wasted energy. The new system is expected to reduce energy consumption by at least 23,000 megawatt hours saving the MTA $1.6 million annually.

This year’s federal stimulus legislation appropriated $100 million for Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER), a new discretionary grant program for public transportation projects that reduce a transit system’s greenhouse gas emissions or result in a decrease in a transit system’s energy use.

MTA Chairman and CEO Jay H. Walder said: “The MTA is one of just a handful of transit agencies to receive TIGGER funding. This project is part of the MTA’s overall commitment to lower energy costs and reduce our carbon footprint while putting more people to work as we continue to modernize our infrastructure.”

Currently, in order to prevent icing of ground level exposed 3rd rail in the subway system, New York City Transit manually activates nearly 1,000 3rd rail heaters in the fall of each year. The heaters are then left on throughout the fall, winter, and early spring, regardless of whether or not icing conditions exist, resulting in substantial energy waste. The wireless control points should all be in place by January 2012.

The MTA submitted its proposal to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in May 2009. Competition for TIGGER funds was fierce. The FTA received over 200 proposals containing approximately 524 projects, with an estimated total value of $1.2 billion.

The TIGGER funds will be used to cover a portion of labor costs. The total budget for the project is $8.32 million.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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ADA Work Begins At Fulton Transit Center

Posted by
on October 9th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

I apologize for the lack of updates recently but I have been & continue to be under the weather. I am starting to feel better so I will try & catch up by the end of the weekend. Lets start with the announcement that ADA work has begun at the Fulton Transit Center. Here are the details courtesy of a press release sent to me by the MTA NYC Transit:

MTA NYC Transit announces that work on the Fulton Street Transit Center has entered the next phase with the start of construction work on the AC mezzanine at Broadway-Nassau and the new ADA accessible station entrance at William and Fulton Streets.

Barricades are being installed along portions of the AC platform and mezzanine levels. Existing artwork in the station will be removed and temporary stairs are being built as preparations are made for the eventual replacement of the AC mezzanine ramps and staircases. (For more information on the reconstruction, log on to www.mta.info and click on Capital Construction>Major Projects>Fulton Street Transit Center.)

Customers may find that they will have to change their usual travel patterns when using the complex, as the additional barricades will affect passenger flow. Entrances at the southwest corner of William and Fulton Streets and at the north side of John Street at Broadway will be closed. The easternmost AC platform staircase will be closed. Access to the northbound JMZ may also be affected. Customers should also expect weekend service changes during this time.

Well this is one station to stay away from as if it was not confusing & crazy as it is. I & many others can’t wait for this all to be done. The new Fulton Transit Center should be a big hit when it is finally up & running.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 10-09

Posted by
on October 9th, 2009 at 4:57 pm

I updated the service diversions page with the latest information for what will be a chaotic weekend & upcoming week (beyond in some cases). Don’t forget to check in for any changes to the page. I also suggest printing out a copy of the page to use while riding the system. Have a safe & wonderful time as you enjoy the weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 10-02

Posted by
on October 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 am

I updated the service diversions page with the latest information for the weekend & upcoming week (beyond in some cases). Don’t forget to check in for any changes to the page. I also suggest printing out a copy of the page to use while riding the system. Have a safe & wonderful time as you enjoy the weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

You might enjoy reading these related entries:
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Buses To Replace Some Montauk Branch Trains

Posted by
on October 2nd, 2009 at 3:51 am

Starting October 6th & including the 8th & 9th, buses will replace some Monatuk branch trains due to rail inspections. Here are the details courtesy of a press release sent to be by the Long Island Rail Road:

The MTA Long Island Rail Road will provide bus service in place of trains for several areas of the Montauk Branch east of Babylon on Tuesday, October 6, Thursday, October 8 and Friday, October 9 as track inspections are made by the Sperry Rail Car.

The Sperry Rail Car, a bright yellow vehicle fitted with ultrasonic and induction test equipment is designed to detect internal rail defects not readily visible to the eye. Defects that are found will be corrected immediately by a crew of LIRR track maintenance workers. The Sperry Rail Car is used twice a year to inspect approximately 500 miles of LIRR track.

Tuesday, October 6:

Sperry Rail Car testing will take place between Babylon and Speonk. Passengers on three eastbound and three westbound trains will be affected.

Eastbound:

Customers on the 9:26 AM, 10:27 AM and 11:27 AM trains from Babylon will board buses instead at Babylon to complete their trips for stations Bay Shore through Speonk. Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 20 minutes.

Westbound:

Customers on the 9:33 AM, 10:33 AM and 11:33 AM trains from Patchogue will board buses at their stations Patchogue through Bay Shore up to 19 minutes later and transfer to trains at Babylon to complete their trips. Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 36 minutes.

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Thursday, October 8:
Sperry Rail Car testing will take place between Speonk and Montauk. Passengers on two eastbound and two westbound trains will be affected.

Eastbound:

Customers on the 8:52 AM train from Babylon will transfer to buses at Speonk to complete their trips. Customers on the 11:56 AM train from Babylon will transfer to buses at Patchogue to complete their trips. Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 40 minutes.

Westbound:

Customers on the 11:20 AM train from Montauk will board buses at their stations Montauk through Bellport then transfer to a train at Patchogue to complete their trips. Passengers will depart up to 32 minutes later and should anticipate increased travel time of up to 30 minutes. Customers on the 2:51 PM train from Montauk will board buses at their stations Montauk through Westhampton and transfer to a train at Patchogue to complete their trips. Buses for customers from Montauk, Amagansett, Bridgehampton and Southampton stations will depart up to 13 minutes earlier than train time.

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Friday, October 9:
Sperry Rail Car testing will take place between Babylon and Patchogue. Passengers on two eastbound and two westbound will be affected.

Eastbound:
Customers on the 9:26 AM and 10:27 AM trains from Babylon will board buses at Babylon to complete their trips for stations Bay Shore through Patchogue. Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 20 minutes.

Westbound:
Customers on the 9:33 AM and 10:33 AM trains from Patchogue will board buses instead at Patchogue to complete their trips for stations Patchogue through Bay Shore and transfer to a train at Babylon. Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 28 minutes.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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