New subway escalator in Union Square moves
92 people per minute, aims to reduce congestion
BY MARK HALLUM
The MTA is still chipping away at
improvements on the L train, having
announced a new escalator coming
into service at the Union Square station to
service the 19,000 pre-pandemic riders
that shuffl e on and off the platform every
hour during the week.
This installation, designed to ease
congestion through the busy interchange,
follows elevators paired with a new entrance
to the L train’s First Avenue station
near Avenue A and switch replacements
on the 4-5-6 near Union Square in recent
months.
These improvements were funded by
the MTA prior to the fi nancial crisis they
currently face due to COVID-19.
“This new escalator is another achievement
for the larger L project team that,
delivered that huge project early and below
budget,” MTA Chief Development Offi cer
Janno Lieber said. “Even in the midst of
the COVID-19 pandemic we’re using
PHOTO BY MARC A. HERMANN / MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT
Escalator in operation between the L platform and the mezzanine at 14 St-
Union Sq on Fri., September 11, 2020.
innovative strategies to deliver customer
improvements faster and at lower cost than
ever before.”
Judy McClain, Chief of Operations Planning
at New York City Transit, says that
because the L train platform at this location
is one of the most congested during prepandemic
levels of ridership the escalator
is one of the fastest in subway system; it can
move up to 92 people per minute.
According to the MTA, there are now
231 escalators across the 472 subway
stations in the city and they believe this
upgrade will help riders transfer from
the L train to other connections in the
station such as the 4-5-6. The escalator
runs between the L platform and the main
mezzanine of the station.
Other accessibility projects on the L
train include a fresh set of elevators at the
Bedford Avenue station in Brooklyn as
an addition the minority number of stops
which are Americans with Disabilities Act
compliant. As it stands, about a quarter of
all stations in the system have elevators.
Due to COVID-19, MTA ridership was
struck down by 90% and today is only a
quarter of what it was before March —
blowing a projected $12 billion hole in their
fi nances that the authority claims only the
federal government can fi ll.
Burglars sought for raiding Chelsea
industry office of $68,000 in property
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
Detectives are still looking
for three individuals who
burglarized a flooring
company’s offi ce in Chelsea during
the summer and stole thousands of
dollars worth of property.
The NYPD released on Sept. 14
photos of the perpetrators connected to
the July 18 break-in of the Sherland and
Farrington headquarters at 253 West
28th St. According to law enforcement
sources, the burglars entered through
a side door of the business at about
1:15 a.m. on July 18 and walked inside.
There was no sign of forced entry.
Once inside, cops said, the crooks
removed electronics, tools and clothing
valued at a combined $68,000.
The burglary was later reported to
the 10th Precinct.
Police described the three thieves
only as two unidentifi ed men and an
unidentifi ed woman.
Anyone with information regarding
their whereabouts can call
Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for
Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You
can also submit tips online at nypdcrimestoppers.
com, or on Twitter @
NYPDTips. All calls and messages
are kept confi dential.
Oh rats! Learn to keep
rodents out of your home
and neighborhood at
Virtual Rat Academy
PHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES
BY EMILY DAVENPORT
Learn how to keep rats at bay at an upcoming training
webinar next week.
On Sept. 23, Pest Control Services at the New York
City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will host a
Virtual Rat Academy for New York City residents. Sponsored
by City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, the webinar plans
to inform guests about effective methods to keep rats out of
your home and neighborhood.
The Virtual Rat Academy will take place from 5 to 7
p.m. that day. In addition to the general public, building
superintendents, local business owners, and members of
block associations and community gardens are encouraged
to join in on this training.
The webinar is free to attend, but registration is required.
Visit https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5639842/
Rat-Academy-Registration?eventid=a1Q4V00002Vs3QN&
program name=Pest%20Cont rol%20Services to register.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF NYPD The three burglars sought for a July break-in at a flooring company in Chelsea.
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