MTA Track Work on Broadway # 1 Line

    The MTA has scheduled the replacement of elevated track on the # 1 subway line along the stretch of Broadway from the terminus at West 242nd Street down the line to at least West 231st Street. This track work started recently with very little (if any) notice to the community or merchants. It has been hell to residents, drivers, and merchants on or near Broadway from West 238th Street to West 234th Street for now as the MTA has done basically whatever it wants to do according to Ms. Katherine Broiher the Executive Director of the Kingsbridge Business Improvement District (BID). She also told me that the MTA was going to move down to the West 231st Street area next, even while they still work between W.236th and W.234th Streets. As you will see in the photos below, I visited the work site, took a few photos, and spoke to who I was told was the person in charge.

 Here you can see that at West 236th Street that MTA has blocked half of Broadway taking away any and all parking spaces on Broadway. There is no one guiding traffic just metal barricades and yellow "Do Not Cross" tape all over. The Broadway entrance to the Stop and Shop parking lot is completely off limits to southbound drivers, and exiting traffic must go north only. The manager of Stop and Shop said no notice was given, and that this was hurting sales at the supermarket.

In this photo you can see how the MTA just taped up a new "No Parking" sign over the old sign that has dates before work started in this area. I was told by MTA workers in BLUE hats that the worker with the WHITE hat was in charge. When I asked questions if the community or DOT have been notified, I was told by the WHITE hatted MTA worker "We don't have to tell the DOT", and that the no parking signs went up the day before. 

 Here you can see how just how bad traffic gets during the track work above Broadway, as the fire engine sits waiting to move.

Here you can see just how the MTA works, as sections of track are placed on top of each other in the street while they sit sometimes for days until the track sections are needed.

    Final comments are that the MTA needs to communicate better with the community, needs to be more respectful of the merchants who are losing much needed business, and where are the local elected officials on this issue.