By Mark Hallum
The first day of what Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling the “summer of hell” was business as usual Monday, as commuters experienced a small amount of backup in traffic near the entrance of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel and no significant delays on the LIRR, while foot traffic through Penn Station was lighter than usual.
Cuomo suspended all construction Sunday on MTA roads and bridges, which have already been updated with strictly enforced bus lanes for LIRR commuters looking for an alternative. The roadwork suspensions will continue for the eight weeks of planned track work scheduled to begin today as Amtrak attempts to overhaul infrastructure to remedy delays, derailments and breakdowns that have become commonplace for those travelling into Manhattan for work.
“Amtrak’s emergency repairs at Penn Station will have a ripple effect across the entire transportation system,” Cuomo said. “As New Yorkers adjust their plans, we are doing everything possible to ease the burden on commuters and travelers. By suspending construction and implementing critical roadwork changes, we are taking action to ensure New Yorkers can get where they need to go as quickly and easily as possible.”
One commuter said although traffic flowed freely on the Long Island Expressway heading westbound, eastbound traffic was more condensed than usual. While cars accumulated near the entrance of the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, the majority of traffic on the LIE seemed to be exiting at Van Dam Street, suggesting people were using the toll free Queensborough Bridge.
Long Island Rail Road riders were silent on Twitter as the “summer of hell” kicked off and trains going eastbound were on their usual schedule. Foot traffic through the nation’s largest rail hub was somewhat lighter than usual.
Queens commuters going into the city got a taste of the delays and cancellations expected during repair work not only associated with Penn Station and LIRR, but to the city transit system. E and F trains were suspended between Jamaica Center and Forest Hills – 71st Avenue as capital construction work was underway. One Hillside resident said she was forced to transfer between three buses just to make it Forest Hills alone. Shuttle bus service was provided by the MTA, but was not reliable, she said.
Cuomo announced a state of emergency for the city’s subways in late June as overhauls to the century old signal system and modern train cars were implemented. Cuomo also said the MTA would get an additional $1 billion for capital repair funds.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
