From the latest Construction Alert: how construction (at the arena site) "progresses as scheduled" but may require extra shifts, and "schedule maintenance" (at the rail yard) requires weekend work

There's no major news, as far as I can tell, in the latest two-week Atlantic Yards Construction Alert, dated 11/21/11 and distributed yesterday by Empire State Development (after preparation by developer Forest City Ratner).

But I do want to point out some curious, recurring, "Orwellian, almost" language. The heading regarding the arena site states "Construction at the Arena Site Progresses as Scheduled."

However, the section also mentions that a second shift by the steel erector/stadia installer, while not expected in the next two weeks, will be re-evaluated after this period, while some weekday overtime may be needed and work on Saturdays will continue.

In other worse, "scheduled" progress requires overtime. Similarly, fireproof painting of the structural steel will continue on a second shift.

Also, waterproofing of the interior walls of the east storm water retention tank may be performed on a second shift. The tie-ins for the piping for the storm/sanitary/water services to the arena at 6th & Pacific as well as Dean & Flatbush may require a second and/or third shift, as well as weekend work.

The vertical transportation (aka elevator) contractor is expected to work a second shift during this period.

By contrast, the heading on the section regarding railyard work is "What's Happening in the Rail Yard." It also states:

Due to the need to expedite all of this work for overall schedule maintenance, it will be progressed on Saturdays and (selected Sunday & Holidays).

In other words, "schedule maintenance," like "scheduled" progress, requires overtime.

The text below is excerpted from the latest document, with the bolded text indicating what's new compared to the previous alert.

Arena Site Foundation & Perimeter Walls

• Backfill placement along the exterior 6th Avenue elevation has been completed

• The installation of temporary weather walls (visqueen & tarps) as well as temporary rubber roofing, to provide protection through the winter months, is expected to start this reporting period.

It previously said "expected to continue."

Arena Site/Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing

The construction fence at the ConEd vault will be revised to allow ConEd and the Arena contractors to begin installation of primary power conduit, cable and drainage piping to the arena at this point of entry. This will require work in the street by ConEd personnel – installers and Arena contractors. Metal plates will cover the cable work in Dean Street while it is underway.

Subway entrance

Work outside the Fence

• Permits have been secured for the portions of the street immediately adjacent to the “Tip” of the project area. Concrete plank/decking in the roadway (at the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic) has been in place for some time. The southern eastbound lane of Atlantic Avenue has now been taken behind an expanded MPT in order to facilitate the removal of the planking/decking to be removed and the installation of temporary roadway restoration. This work has now commenced and is scheduled to be completed by the middle of December. A pathway for the new water main has been coordinated with the utility team and will be constructed and following the plank removal. This will then permit the next phase of the water main installation to take place which is scheduled for the beginning of the year. This expanded MPT, noted above, has been approved by DOT.

Erection of Interior Walls

Interior masonry walls in the fare array area and in the new utility rooms under the main staircase are now substantially complete. Masonry infill walls at the BMT mezzanine will follow in December and January.

Concrete

• The new roof over the new fare array area has been poured. Construction of the reinforced concrete staircase structure is substantially complete with steel treads and tiled risers to follow. Concrete foundation walls are substantially complete and construction of the station roof near the tip, at Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues, is now substantially complete. The two new escalator trusses from the fare array area to the new plaza have been set and final assembly continues. The new elevator enclosure has also been erected and elevator rail installation has commenced.

Railyard/Carlton Ave Bridge

• MPT has been in place at Carlton Ave. and Pacific Street for work on the new south abutment. Excavation to the subgrade for the south abutment foundation has been completed and the reinforced concrete footing poured. During this reporting period the contractor will start to form and install rebar for the stem wall of the new south abutment.

Railyard/East End (former Gasoline Station)

Posillico/Tully will continue working on the lagging and tieback work at this location and continue to lower the grade there. Pile-drilling in this area below grade is complete. The excavation and associated support work will be on-going for the next couple of months. Posillico/Tully will work in this area during the weekend of Nov. 25-27th to demolish and remove an existing closure wall that runs adjacent to the existing LIRR east portal. The demolition of this wall will require the use of a hoe ram to break up the concrete for removal. The work will be performed during normal working hours of 8 A.M. to 4 P.M.

Block 1129

• The Utility contractor is in the process of moving its storage areas from the southeast corner of Block 1129, lot 54 (the corner of Vanderbilt and Dean) to Block 1129, lot 21 (just east of the 752 Pacific Street building and adjacent to Pacific Street). The contractor will make every effort to move the equipment and materials to the new location during daytime work hours.

 Arena Site Work

The revised Flatbush Avenue MPT is allowing work to continue on the installation of the Flatbush Avenue façade and the installation of bollards along this same stretch. Part of the overall site work for the arena block, bollard installation, commenced at the intersection of Dean and Flatbush in the area of the southern vents and will continue north along Flatbush, eventually continuing around the entire block. The bollard work is anticipated to be complete by the middle of December. Other work that will be done as part of the site work includes sidewalks, installation of pavers, street furniture, street trees, light and signal poles, way finding signage, hydrants and the canopy to the new subway entrance. Additional detail on the work will be provided as the contractor progresses.
Installation of the underground drainage is anticipated to commence within the plaza area located at the tip of the site at the end of November and continue into December.

Overtime work

This next isn't new, but repeated for reference purposes:

Please Be Advised of Anticipated Nighttime & Weekend Work
During this reporting period the following work will be performed either at night or during the weekend as noted. All work will be done pursuant to approved permits:
• Long Island Rail Road/Vanderbilt Yard/ Carlton Avenue Bridge:
o All weekdays days all locations in the yard: 6:00AM to 11:00PM
o Saturdays as required: 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM
o Sundays and Holidays as required: 8:00AM to 11:00PM
o The weekend work being performed could be in any area of the yard, and within MPT areas for which permits are on hand.
o The work hours will remain in place for a minimum of the next three months.
• Arena Site:
o Arena weekend work will be scheduled no later than close of business on the preceding Thursday, where make-up work due to weather or other delays makes it necessary. Saturday work is expected to continue for this reporting period.
o Subject to receipt of permits, a second shift shall be continued throughout this reporting  period, from 3 – 11 PM, Monday-Friday only. Also subject to receipt of permits, a third shift shall be instituted during this reporting period, from 11 PM – 7 AM, Monday –Friday only.
o Hunt has been granted a permit to allow for deliveries from 6 AM to 7 AM to the Arena site from the dispatch center. This work allows for an additional hour of deliveries to take place outside the neighborhood peak traffic patterns and reduce congestion and interference with the local traffic.
o The second shift arena contractors are noted within the arena summary above.
• NYC Transit Improvements:
o Temporary concrete road decking is substantially complete, however, in the event there is a need to do any related work, such work will be performed at night per DOT regulations.
Traffic will be restored every morning according to DOT stipulations.
As noted above, work will be performed to repair steel within the BMT Tunnel and will be conducted under a BMT GO during the weekend of November 26th as approved by the NYCT. Additionally, work related to of the BMT structure and below grade concrete, steel and MEP work may be conducted on Saturdays November 26th and December 3rd, during this reporting period.
• Arena Site Work: • Block 1129 – staging area:
o Contractors conducting night work may have cause to enter and exit this area as it serves as a staging and material/equipment storage area.
During the course of work, conditions may be encountered at the site which may warrant the need for night and/or weekend work. Work will be done pursuant to approved permits.

AY Construction Alert 11-21-2011