Weekend Work January 11 - 14, 2013

During the January 11-14 weekend shutdown of the
Line between Queensboro Plaza and Times Sq-42 St, our maintenance workers and contractors accomplished several important tasks on the work taking place on this vital transportation link between Flushing, Queens and Midtown Manhattan:

Signal System Modernization CBTC, Flushing Line

The contractor performed work associated with modernizing the signal system on the Flushing line. When completed, the line will be equipped with a Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system. Work over the last weekend included negative-return cable work at Times Sq-42 St Station, pulling approximately 4,551 feet of two millimeter cable and installing three ground bus copper details.  Workers also installed ten feet of 3” conduit and equipment from Times Sq-42 St to Grand Central-42 St Stations and strapped 900 cables in Court Sq Station.  In addition, at 19 locations along the Times Sq-42 St to Grand Central-42 St Station segment, the validity of the cables were tested to ensure there were no faults, grounds, or shorts to ensure the cables can support the designated voltage. Chopping and repairing concrete work was also performed at four locations from Times Sq-42 St to First Av.

Line Extension

During the past weekend, the contractor pulled 50 pair and 25 pair communication cables from an existing Communications Room toward the new Communications Room in the newly-constructed  tunnel, completed installing conduits in the existing Tunnel Lighting Room at Times Sq-42 St Station and installed messenger cable near Times Sq-42 St Station on the Main St-bound track.

Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Av Station

Repairs were made to the walls and ceiling at the track level and water remediation work was performed. 

Capital Track Program

As part of the in-house Capital Track Program, track panel installation is scheduled at Court Sq Station and near the Queensboro Plaza Station on the Main St-bound and Times Sq-42 St-bound tracks. During the past weekend, track panels were installed on the Times Sq-42 St -bound track outside of Queensboro Plaza Station and tie blocks were installed on the Main St-bound track in the vicinity of Court Sq Station.

Additional Work

Existing ducts are being demolished on both sides of the outer wall of the Steinway Tunnel. A new duct bank (a structure that houses equipment) is being built for new cables that supplies traction (third rail) power for the Line. During the last weekend, the contractor completely demolished 850 linear feet of old duct bank on the Times Sq-42 St-bound track and installed 820 feet of rebar and Fiberglass Reinforced Epoxy (FRE) duct for the new duct bank. Work also included the installation of 210 feet of rebar and FRE duct, the completion of 400 feet of concrete form work and the removal of 1,050 feet of old cable from the Main St-bound track.