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With Fewer People in the Way, Transportation Projects Speed Ahead With Fewer People in the Way, Transportation Projects Speed Ahead
(3 days later)
It was supposed to take three years to remodel subway stations on two lines in Brooklyn. Now, it will be two years.It was supposed to take three years to remodel subway stations on two lines in Brooklyn. Now, it will be two years.
Track upgrades to the shuttle between Times Square and Grand Central Station will wrap up two months early, and the 57th Street station will get new elevators 10 weeks early.Track upgrades to the shuttle between Times Square and Grand Central Station will wrap up two months early, and the 57th Street station will get new elevators 10 weeks early.
Road work at La Guardia Airport is likely to finish six months ahead of schedule, just in time for next summer.Road work at La Guardia Airport is likely to finish six months ahead of schedule, just in time for next summer.
Even as the pandemic shut down much of the New York region and led to the worst health crisis in a century, it provided at least a small measure of good news when it came to vital transportation projects: It sped them up.Even as the pandemic shut down much of the New York region and led to the worst health crisis in a century, it provided at least a small measure of good news when it came to vital transportation projects: It sped them up.
As subways and roads emptied out, transportation agencies in New York and across the country were able to fast-track major repairs and upgrades without having to worry about triggering huge disruptions and traffic backups.As subways and roads emptied out, transportation agencies in New York and across the country were able to fast-track major repairs and upgrades without having to worry about triggering huge disruptions and traffic backups.
The flurry of infrastructure work is helping fix and modernize transportation systems, from subways and commuter trains to highways and airports. It is also a rare bright spot for cities and states that are facing enormous revenue shortfalls, which may require still unfunded infrastructure projects to be put on hold or shelved altogether.The flurry of infrastructure work is helping fix and modernize transportation systems, from subways and commuter trains to highways and airports. It is also a rare bright spot for cities and states that are facing enormous revenue shortfalls, which may require still unfunded infrastructure projects to be put on hold or shelved altogether.
In Los Angeles, construction was planned for weekends from August through January on a new subway station that sits along Wilshire Boulevard, one of the nation’s busiest thoroughfares. But after the pandemic cleared out traffic, a stretch of the boulevard was closed to expedite construction.In Los Angeles, construction was planned for weekends from August through January on a new subway station that sits along Wilshire Boulevard, one of the nation’s busiest thoroughfares. But after the pandemic cleared out traffic, a stretch of the boulevard was closed to expedite construction.
The work is expected to finish in June, transit officials said, to “help us minimize future construction impacts to local businesses as they struggle to overcome the impacts of the Covid-19 health crisis.”The work is expected to finish in June, transit officials said, to “help us minimize future construction impacts to local businesses as they struggle to overcome the impacts of the Covid-19 health crisis.”
Lighter ridership on Philadelphia’s regional commuter rail network has allowed accelerated work on a major project to rebuild aging infrastructure along a line that dates back more than 80 years in places, according to transit officials.Lighter ridership on Philadelphia’s regional commuter rail network has allowed accelerated work on a major project to rebuild aging infrastructure along a line that dates back more than 80 years in places, according to transit officials.
With historically low ridership on the Washington metro, transit officials have closed nine stations in Virginia — instead of the three stations that had been planned — to consolidate and expand work to extend one line and rebuild station platforms on another.With historically low ridership on the Washington metro, transit officials have closed nine stations in Virginia — instead of the three stations that had been planned — to consolidate and expand work to extend one line and rebuild station platforms on another.
Robert E. Paaswell, a civil engineering professor at the City College of New York and a former executive director of the Chicago Transit Authority, said transportation agencies should be moving aggressively to build faster and test out any kinks before riders and traffic eventually return. “It’s more effective if you have little interference,” he said. “You don’t have to stop every six minutes to let a train go by.”Robert E. Paaswell, a civil engineering professor at the City College of New York and a former executive director of the Chicago Transit Authority, said transportation agencies should be moving aggressively to build faster and test out any kinks before riders and traffic eventually return. “It’s more effective if you have little interference,” he said. “You don’t have to stop every six minutes to let a train go by.”
The quickened pace can also bring down the cost of a transportation project, Mr. Paaswell added, by reducing labor costs, locking in prices for materials and getting revenue-generating services on line sooner. Those savings can be used to help finance other projects. “There are always more capital projects than capital dollars,” he said.The quickened pace can also bring down the cost of a transportation project, Mr. Paaswell added, by reducing labor costs, locking in prices for materials and getting revenue-generating services on line sooner. Those savings can be used to help finance other projects. “There are always more capital projects than capital dollars,” he said.
Still, a recent survey by the American Public Transportation Association, whose members include the nation’s largest transit agencies, found that a slight majority of responding agencies reported delays or interruptions to their projects as a result of the pandemic.Still, a recent survey by the American Public Transportation Association, whose members include the nation’s largest transit agencies, found that a slight majority of responding agencies reported delays or interruptions to their projects as a result of the pandemic.
In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has pushed state agencies to fast-track transportation projects whenever possible, his aides said.In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has pushed state agencies to fast-track transportation projects whenever possible, his aides said.
“Governor Cuomo is supercharging the state’s priority transportation and infrastructure projects across the state,” said Dani Lever, a spokeswoman for the governor. “These are dark times with few silver linings, but by completing these projects ahead of schedule, we will reduce disruptions for travelers and commuters, cut costs, and keep New Yorkers on the job at a time when millions are unemployed.”“Governor Cuomo is supercharging the state’s priority transportation and infrastructure projects across the state,” said Dani Lever, a spokeswoman for the governor. “These are dark times with few silver linings, but by completing these projects ahead of schedule, we will reduce disruptions for travelers and commuters, cut costs, and keep New Yorkers on the job at a time when millions are unemployed.”
As traffic has dropped by nearly half on the New York State Thruway, a 570-mile highway, more lanes have been closed to keep work on schedule as the highway transitions to systemwide cashless tolling by the end of the year, according to Jennifer Givner, a spokeswoman for the Thruway Authority.As traffic has dropped by nearly half on the New York State Thruway, a 570-mile highway, more lanes have been closed to keep work on schedule as the highway transitions to systemwide cashless tolling by the end of the year, according to Jennifer Givner, a spokeswoman for the Thruway Authority.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has taken advantage of a plunge in airport travel to step up construction of new roads at Terminal C at La Guardia Airport, which are now expected to open next summer to help alleviate growing ground congestion.The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has taken advantage of a plunge in airport travel to step up construction of new roads at Terminal C at La Guardia Airport, which are now expected to open next summer to help alleviate growing ground congestion.
Port Authority officials are also calling for $3 billion in federal aid for planned capital projects, some of which could be started as early as this summer to help the region’s economic recovery by creating tens of thousands of new jobs and increasing local spending over the next five years.Port Authority officials are also calling for $3 billion in federal aid for planned capital projects, some of which could be started as early as this summer to help the region’s economic recovery by creating tens of thousands of new jobs and increasing local spending over the next five years.
Throughout the city’s antiquated subway system, the M.T.A. has sped up timelines for at least eight projects, including cutting months from upgrades to three subway lines and a subway station in the Bronx.Throughout the city’s antiquated subway system, the M.T.A. has sped up timelines for at least eight projects, including cutting months from upgrades to three subway lines and a subway station in the Bronx.
Throughout the pandemic, the vast majority of the M.T.A.’s over 500 construction projects have remained operational despite coronavirus-related setbacks. Work-force shortages because of illness among transit workers — who often act in a support role to construction work — delayed some projects in March and April.Throughout the pandemic, the vast majority of the M.T.A.’s over 500 construction projects have remained operational despite coronavirus-related setbacks. Work-force shortages because of illness among transit workers — who often act in a support role to construction work — delayed some projects in March and April.
Supply chain issues have also caused delays when factories in northern Italy, where the glass canopy for a new entrance at Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan is being produced, and in China, where screens providing train information are made, were temporarily shut down.Supply chain issues have also caused delays when factories in northern Italy, where the glass canopy for a new entrance at Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan is being produced, and in China, where screens providing train information are made, were temporarily shut down.
Updated June 5, 2020 Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
Transit officials hope that completing the much-needed improvements now can help entice riders to return to the system as city life rebounds by offering them better service and eliminating some headaches — like cuts to weekend service — caused by construction.Transit officials hope that completing the much-needed improvements now can help entice riders to return to the system as city life rebounds by offering them better service and eliminating some headaches — like cuts to weekend service — caused by construction.
Luring back the more than 90 percent of riders who have abandoned the system in recent months will be critical to the financial recovery of the M.T.A., after almost all of the farebox, toll and dedicated tax revenue that funds its day-to-day operations vanished during the pandemic.Luring back the more than 90 percent of riders who have abandoned the system in recent months will be critical to the financial recovery of the M.T.A., after almost all of the farebox, toll and dedicated tax revenue that funds its day-to-day operations vanished during the pandemic.
“The whole idea is: Let’s take advantage of the time when people are not riding as much as they used to — and we are actually asking them to stay home — let’s take advantage of that to try to deliver them a better mass transit system when they come back or sooner,” said Janno Lieber, the head of the authority’s capital construction. “That’s our ethos.”“The whole idea is: Let’s take advantage of the time when people are not riding as much as they used to — and we are actually asking them to stay home — let’s take advantage of that to try to deliver them a better mass transit system when they come back or sooner,” said Janno Lieber, the head of the authority’s capital construction. “That’s our ethos.”
The capital projects that have been accelerated are only those that have already received funding and do not include much-needed modernization projects outlined in the authority’s sweeping $54 billion capital plan, which was approved last year.The capital projects that have been accelerated are only those that have already received funding and do not include much-needed modernization projects outlined in the authority’s sweeping $54 billion capital plan, which was approved last year.
Nearly all those projects — which were to be financed by state, city, and federal governments as well as revenue from a hard-fought congestion pricing plan — have been put on pause, as the M.T.A. waits on its second appeal to Congress for emergency federal aid.Nearly all those projects — which were to be financed by state, city, and federal governments as well as revenue from a hard-fought congestion pricing plan — have been put on pause, as the M.T.A. waits on its second appeal to Congress for emergency federal aid.
If the authority does not receive that assistance, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has opened the door for transit officials to use funds set aside for new capital projects to cover day-to-day expenses.If the authority does not receive that assistance, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has opened the door for transit officials to use funds set aside for new capital projects to cover day-to-day expenses.
“If there is no funding relief we are going to see some significant projects pushed back,” said Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the M.T.A., a watchdog group. “Until there is surety of funding, we are still in that spiral that you get of waiting and waiting and waiting,” which can plunge the system into disrepair.“If there is no funding relief we are going to see some significant projects pushed back,” said Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the M.T.A., a watchdog group. “Until there is surety of funding, we are still in that spiral that you get of waiting and waiting and waiting,” which can plunge the system into disrepair.
Some of those projects — particularly installing modern signals across the system — are also critical to increasing service and reducing crowding, one of riders’ main concerns in returning to public transportation during the pandemic.Some of those projects — particularly installing modern signals across the system — are also critical to increasing service and reducing crowding, one of riders’ main concerns in returning to public transportation during the pandemic.
“At peak hours, in order to squeeze more trains onto the tracks and reduce crowding, you are going to need more modern signals,” said Danny Pearlstein, a spokesman for Riders Alliance, an advocacy group.“At peak hours, in order to squeeze more trains onto the tracks and reduce crowding, you are going to need more modern signals,” said Danny Pearlstein, a spokesman for Riders Alliance, an advocacy group.