Public Works in Murray Hill Updates

42nd Street Connection Project. The MTA’s new integrated approach to project management combined several projects between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal, into one project called the 42nd Street Connection Project. The completed work added two new staircases, a new fare control area, and 1,500 square feet of space to the mezzanine of the Grand Central subway station. Work is also being done to make the Shuttle (S line) accessible.

St. Vartan Park Improvements. The Parks Department met on February 27 to gather community feedback for improvements to St. Vartan Park, that will be made in the coming years by the Parks Department. These changes will be funded by $4.9 million allocated by Mayor de Blasio as well as $1.3 million allocated by Council Member Keith Powers’ office and the City Council to help redesign the park. This spring, the blacktop area will be converted to synthetic turf, to provide a safe space for youth sports teams to play. The Parks Department is also beginning to explore ideas for additional improvements. If you have further ideas for St. Vartan Park that you would like Council Member Powers to share with the Parks Department, please reach out to Sara Newman in his office at snewman@council.nyc.gov.

The Queens Midtown Tunnel Marginal Streets rehabilitation. This MTA Bridges & Tunnels project to rehabilitate the QMT entrance and exit streets is making progress and is on schedule. Work began in February to replace fencing. This work entails drilling for new fence posts while sealing up the old fence post holes, followed by the fence installation. This work is expected to run through April and will take place at various locations, including Tunnel Exit Street. The final tasks include painting the historic light poles. This work is very weather-dependent, and likely will be done in May and June. There may be some noise, but not at night, and only low-impact, from 7am to 3pm weekdays unless unexpected conditions arise that require weekend work.

Infrastructure Upgrades along 2nd Avenue (Project MED607). In the summer of 2018, the New York City Department of Design and Construction commenced a three-year project to upgrade infrastructure along 2nd Avenue and surrounding areas. Approximately 60%-70% of the distribution water mains are installed. Gas mains are being relocated or upgraded at those locations. Catch basin and chute connection installation is also ongoing. The city contractor completed a challenging phase of work in the vicinity of the Queens Midtown Tunnel along 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue. Aged distribution water main pipes were replaced with new mains while upgrades to the existing utility infrastructure were being performed. This work was done while maintaining traffic flows in a congested area. Similar work was done on local side streets, including East 35th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. During the Holiday Construction Embargo which prohibited work on the avenues, excavation and installation work was done on 33rd Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue for the new 20” distribution water main. Upcoming work includes excavation for the installation of the trunk water main pipes along 2nd Avenue just north of 34th Street and just south of 36th Street, installation of new 20” distribution water main pipe and utility upgrades on the south side of East 33rd Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, installation of new 12” distribution water main pipes and utility upgrades on East 35th Street between 2nd Avenue and the QMT Exit and from the QMT Exit to 3rd Avenue and finally, excavation for the installation of the trunk water main along 3rd Avenue.

A bus stop appeared temporarily on Third Avenue between 34th and 35th Street. The placement of this temporary bus stop interfered with cars trying to get into the right lane on 3rd Avenue, which is designated as a turning lane into the Queens Midtown Tunnel between 34th & 36th Street. The bus stop was removed. The regular bus stop between 34th & 33rd Street on Third Avenue is temporarily closed.

Park Avenue Tunnel Rehabilitation. Work on the Park Avenue Tunnel continues. The tunnel roof was reinforced, new curbs were fitted and permanent new tunnel lighting is being mounted inside the tunnel. The contractor is also installing new traffic railings and precast cement walls at the north portal. These precast walls are reinforced concrete segments which are installed against the tunnel walls. This work is expected to last approximately 3 months until May. At the south entrance, crews are working in conjunction with Con Edison to perform steam vault repairs. In February, The New York City Department of Transportation Division of Bridges closed the tunnel for several days to inspect the tunnel’s ventilation, fire and air quality safety systems.

East Side Access. The East Side Access site at 37th Street and Park Avenue will remain inactive for the coming months. Beginning later this year, in coordination with City agencies and Con Edison, East Side Access will complete necessary utility work and restore the street and sidewalk. They will continue to provide updates and notification to the community in advance of all work. All work at this location will be completed by late 2022.