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Sandy work to close Queens Midtown Tunnel tube for six weekends

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Photo courtesy of MTA / Oscar Gonzalez.

Work to remove ceiling panels damaged during Hurricane Sandy will close one tube of the Queens Midtown Tunnel for six non-consecutive weekends starting May 15.

The MTA announced Monday that it has awarded a Staten Island construction firm, BHW Contracting Inc., a $1.9 million contract to do the work, which will take place over the next two months.

The 2012 superstorm flooded the tunnel connecting Manhattan and Queens with nearly 12 million gallons of water, damaging both tubes, including destroying their ceiling panels.

The closures will affect the Queens-bound tube, with the first one scheduled for May 15 to 18, beginning 10:30 p.m. Friday through 5:30 a.m. Monday. One lane will be open in each direction in the remaining tube for cars and buses. All other commercial traffic must use an alternate route while two-way traffic is in effect.

Queens-bound drivers should enter the tunnel at 34th Street between Second and Third avenues. Manhattan-bound motorists can exit normally at the 37th Street exit to head uptown. Downtown Manhattan-bound traffic should use the Marginal tunnel exit to 38th Street and then continue on to Second Avenue. The 34th Street and Second Avenue ramps will be closed to traffic exiting in Manhattan.

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