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New York's dangerously old public infrastructures New York's dangerously old public infrastructures
(35 minutes later)
The explosion that killed at least seven people in the East Harlem neighbourhood of New York this week has been attributed to a gas leak. While investigators have yet to confirm that conclusion, it has brought new focus to New York’s crumbling infrastructure: a gas main in the street outside is 127 years old.The explosion that killed at least seven people in the East Harlem neighbourhood of New York this week has been attributed to a gas leak. While investigators have yet to confirm that conclusion, it has brought new focus to New York’s crumbling infrastructure: a gas main in the street outside is 127 years old.
The day before the tragedy, the Center for an Urban Future issued its latest report, setting out in great detail the scale of the infrastructure problem in America’s biggest city. The report, Caution Ahead, points out that many waters mains are over 100 years old, average gas mains are over 56 years old and subways are pushing 100.The day before the tragedy, the Center for an Urban Future issued its latest report, setting out in great detail the scale of the infrastructure problem in America’s biggest city. The report, Caution Ahead, points out that many waters mains are over 100 years old, average gas mains are over 56 years old and subways are pushing 100.
BridgesBridges
According to the report, 11% of the 162 bridges in New York City are more than 100 years old.According to the report, 11% of the 162 bridges in New York City are more than 100 years old.
Each day, about 2.7m cars drive over the 47 bridges rated “fracture critical” (a designation engineers use for bridges that have little structural redundancy, making them prone to failure and collapse) and structurally deficient. Each day, about 2.7m cars drive over the 47 bridges rated “fracture critical” (a designation engineers use for bridges that have little structural redundancy, making them prone to failure and collapse) and “structurally deficient”.
Fracture critical bridges not only suffer from significant distress, but according to engineers, if a single span, beam or joint of such a bridge fails, the whole thing could come tumbling down.Fracture critical bridges not only suffer from significant distress, but according to engineers, if a single span, beam or joint of such a bridge fails, the whole thing could come tumbling down.
SubwaySubway
The subway system stretches along 659 track miles. The first underground line of the subway opened on 27 October 1904, almost 35 years after the opening of the first elevated line in New York City.The subway system stretches along 659 track miles. The first underground line of the subway opened on 27 October 1904, almost 35 years after the opening of the first elevated line in New York City.
While the system has cleaned up its act considerably since the 1980s, when graffiti and breakdowns were the norm, the ageing signalling system is in dire need of attention. Of the system’s 728 miles of mainline signals, 37% have exceeded their 50-year useful life, meaning trains move slower and maintenance workers are forced to build their own replacement parts because manufacturers no longer make them.While the system has cleaned up its act considerably since the 1980s, when graffiti and breakdowns were the norm, the ageing signalling system is in dire need of attention. Of the system’s 728 miles of mainline signals, 37% have exceeded their 50-year useful life, meaning trains move slower and maintenance workers are forced to build their own replacement parts because manufacturers no longer make them.
Water mainsWater mains
2014 has already seen a major water main break on 13th Street in Manhattan, which flooded the streets and nearby subways. In 2013, a similar incident paralyzed subways at 23rd street – as shown in the MTA’s video below. 2014 has already seen a major water main break on 13th Street in Manhattan, which flooded the streets and nearby subways. In 2013, a similar incident paralyzed subways at 23rd street, as shown in the MTA’s video below.
Gas mainsGas mains
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof came out in 1958, making it 56 years old – the same age as New York’s gas mains. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof came out in 1958, making it 56 years old – the same age as the average New York gas main.
60% of Con Edison gas mains are made of unprotected steel steel or cast iron, an outmoded and leak-prone material. More than 2% of the gas Con Edison sends to customers every year never makes it to its final destination – largely because of leaks.60% of Con Edison gas mains are made of unprotected steel steel or cast iron, an outmoded and leak-prone material. More than 2% of the gas Con Edison sends to customers every year never makes it to its final destination – largely because of leaks.
On Wednesday, an explosion caused the swift and entire collapse of two buildings in East Harlem, leaving at least six people dead and more than 60 injured. Mayor Bill de Blasio said the explosion was caused by a gas leak and that utility company Con Edison was in the process of shutting off all gas lines into the building. On Wednesday, an explosion caused the swift and entire collapse of two buildings in East Harlem, leaving at least seven people dead and more than 60 injured. Mayor Bill de Blasio later said the explosion was caused by a gas leak and that utility company Con Edison was in the process of shutting off all gas lines into the building.
RoadsRoads
There are 19,000 lane miles of roads and highways in New York. The department of transportation has deemed 30.4% of city roads in “fair” or “poor” condition – up from 15.7% in 2000. Roughly 43% of all roads in Manhattan are considered substandard, followed by Staten Island (40%), the Bronx (34 %), Queens (31 %) and Brooklyn (28 %)There are 19,000 lane miles of roads and highways in New York. The department of transportation has deemed 30.4% of city roads in “fair” or “poor” condition – up from 15.7% in 2000. Roughly 43% of all roads in Manhattan are considered substandard, followed by Staten Island (40%), the Bronx (34 %), Queens (31 %) and Brooklyn (28 %)
JFK airportJFK airport
JFK’s Air Cargo Facilities are approximately 40 years old. 63%JFK’s Air Cargo Facilities are approximately 40 years old. 63%
of these facilities are unfit for modern screening,of these facilities are unfit for modern screening,
storage and distribution.storage and distribution.
The report warns that if infrastructural vulnerabilities are left unchecked, “they could wreak havoc on the city’s economy and quality of life.” Bringing physical assets up to scratch will require a nearly unprecedented investment, coming to a total cost of $47.3bn over the next four to five years – a challenge harder to meet in these times of federal budget cutbacks.The report warns that if infrastructural vulnerabilities are left unchecked, “they could wreak havoc on the city’s economy and quality of life.” Bringing physical assets up to scratch will require a nearly unprecedented investment, coming to a total cost of $47.3bn over the next four to five years – a challenge harder to meet in these times of federal budget cutbacks.
While tragedies are rare, countless disruptions and malfunctions are directly caused by the aging systems. Modernizing the aging assets won’t be cheap, but as inaction is no longer an option. While tragedies are rare, countless disruptions and malfunctions are directly caused by the aging systems. Modernizing the aging assets won’t be cheap, but inaction is no longer an option.