From the latest Construction Alert: crane demobilized today; railyard flood lights on until 11 pm for second shift; union dispute re waterproofing of tank at arena

The latest two-week Atlantic Yards Construction Alert, dated 12/5/11, was distributed yesterday by Empire State Development (after preparation by developer Forest City Ratner).

Such on-time distribution is rare--usually the document is a day or two late--but it's clear timeliness is important, because there are some significant changes beginning today.

The highlights:

• a large crane at the arena site will be demobilized on a second shift today, 3-11 pm, to be replaced by a smaller one
• the façade subcontractor resumed a second shift yesterday
• waterproofing of a storm water retention tank is suspended because of a union dispute
• railyard flood lights will not only be turned on at 6 am (though there are reports it's earlier) and from dusk to 7:30 pm as previous, but extended to to 11:00 pm, during double shifts
• a Utility contractor working on the corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Dean Street has moved to a lot closer to Pacific Street "to help mitigate noise impacts to residents"

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

Construction at Arena Site

Steel deliveries and steel erection will continue throughout this reporting period.
One of the two larger steel erection cranes inside the arena is scheduled to be demobilized and removed from the site on December 6th. The dismantling of this crane will be performed on a second shift, from 3-11 PM. The large mechanically operated crane will be replaced by a smaller hydraulic operated crane.

Steel Erection and Stadia Installation

A second shift will be required on December 6th to demobilize one of the steel erection cranes. The need for a second shift crew will be re-evaluated throughout this period. Some weekday overtime may be needed and work on Saturdays will continue.

Façade Installation

The façade subcontractor will resume a second shift on December 5th, and continue the second shift throughout this reporting period. Work will be performed on the Flatbush Avenue and 6th Avenue elevation on this shift.

Waterproofing & Fireproofing

The waterproofing of the interior walls of the east storm water retention tank will be suspended this reporting period while the subcontractor secures an alternative contractor to perform the work due to a jurisdictional dispute over the work assignment between unions. This work when resumed may be performed on a second shift.

Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

The piping for the storm/sanitary/water services to the arena at 6th & Pacific has been cancelled for this reporting period, due to site constraints (access at the main gate). The Dean & Flatbush piping is expected to continue during this and the next reporting period. The tie-ins for this piping will require work in the street. A second and/or third shift is being considered to execute this work, as well as weekend work.

Interior Build-out

Precast concrete stadia erection of the upper seating bowl should be completed during this reporting period at Blocks 10-12 (Dean Street elevation). Precast erection will resume within the lower bowl seating area following completion of roof erection.

Railyard Drilling – Support of Excavation, & Tiebacks

Drilling of tiebacks will continue in various areas of the yard (BL1120 and Block 1121). These tiebacks are drilled by small rigs, and are required at several elevations as excavation and lagging continue to the final depth of the yard sub-grade. Tieback drilling and placement of the attendant wood lagging will continue for the next month, as they go together with excavation. Posillico/Tully has started the forming of the foundations for the new car shop wall and the new east lead track wall. This work will be ongoing for the next few months.

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 although caisson piles will be drilled in January after the yard has been lowered. The excavation and associated support work will be on-going for the next couple of months. Work related to the demolition and removal of an existing closure wall that ran adjacent to the existing LIRR east portal has been completed.

Yards Lights

• During the week, to facilitate early start and late finish of work, Yard Flood Lights will be turned on at 6am and from dusk to 11:00 pm, during double shifts.

Replacement of Adjacent Water Mains and other Utility Work

Stage One began in early August. The first work included the installation of a distribution water main along the sidewalk of Flatbush, north of Atlantic. The work is being done at night (10 pm to 6 am) and requires partial closure of the sidewalk and the curb lane of traffic during the work hours. The work will take two to three months in this location and then will move on southward and cross Flatbush. The bus stop at the west side of Flatbush, north of Pacific, has been removed by NYC DOT, per the approval of NYCTA. The trench for most of the work in the Flatbush sidewalk is completed and plated. The contractor will continue for the next 4 weeks. Steel pipe was installed, welded and partially backfilled along the northern part of the zone. Work in this area paused for the last two weeks while crews worked on the arena site hydrants and drainage. Work will resume and continue through the end of the year.
Verizon has retained the AY contractor to install new conduits in Atlantic Avenue west of Flatbush.
Storm water discharge at Flatbush Avenue is complete but has not yet been inspected. Work on the discharge at 6th and Pacific Streets is paused until access to the arena ramp and perimeter is available. We expect the work to resume in the first quarter of 2012. The work will include a trench and associated sheeting or lagging approximately 17 to 20 feet deep to reach the bottom of the existing sewer main which the storm system will connect to. Because the main is almost in the center of the road and traffic will be limited until it is plated, and subject to DOT and OCMC approval, the trenching can be cut off at grade and plated over. This work will be coordinated with DOT, NYPD, FDNY as well as the arena contractor.

Block 1129 (Carlton, Dean, Vanderbilt, Pacific) – Construction Staging

The Utility contractor moved most of its operations 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) to help mitigate noise impacts to residents. The remaining materials in lot 54 are manhole structures and other items that do not need daily access. The contractor will make every effort to move the equipment and materials to the new location during daytime work hours.

Note that previously it was reported that the utility contractor was moving, but not the reason.

Traffic Mitigation Site Work

The FEIS requires the construction of certain roadway, sidewalk and traffic signal improvements prior to arena opening to mitigate traffic projected in the area. Work has been divided into two seasons – summer/fall 2011 and spring/summer 2012. The details of the work have been reviewed with City agencies, Community Boards and the general public.
The first element of the 2011 work includes the installation of curb extensions at the Pacific/4th Avenue, Dean/Flatbush and Pacific/Flatbush intersections and the reversal of traffic from westbound to eastbound on Pacific between 4th and Flatbush Avenues. Permits for this work have been secured and work is substantially complete.
• Work related to the closure of the northbound lanes of 4th Avenue at Atlantic Avenue is
substantially complete, however, based upon DOT’s review of the operations of this intersection since the initial installation, additional signage and stripping [sic] modifications. The work remaining includes the installation of two specials poles and permanent signs. Later next year, the MTA will replace bollards in the area and install other improvements. Our contractor will return to the site to replace the area once the MTA work is complete. Work will be performed at night if lanes have to be taken out of service for access to the site.

Arena Site Work

Installation of the underground drainage has commenced within the plaza area located at the tip of the site and will continue through December. Preparation for the placement of a temporary asphalt working surface throughout the plaza will commence this period, with asphalt placement projected to take place during the next reporting period.

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 will now be removed as noted above. Such work will be performed at night per DOT regulations. Traffic will be restored every morning according to DOT stipulations.
Work related to of the BMT structure and below grade concrete, steel and MEP work may be conducted on Saturdays December 10th and 17th, during this reporting period.• Arena Site Work:
o Underground utility work may occur within the site at the main plaza. Work will be
conducted during the hours of 8 A.M. to 4 P.M., subject to NYCDOB permits.
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.

Atlantic Yards Construction Alert 12-5-2011