ESD: work was shifted to evening because of LIRR request; no explanation for lack of notice

Four nights ago, as I reported, neighbors near the intersection of Atlantic and Sixth avenues reported noisy, disturbing late night work on the West Portal of the Vanderbilt Yard. That work had not been announced, and there was no hotline to call with concern. (There should be.)

I sent a query the next morning to Empire State Development, the state authority overseeing/shepherding the overall Atlantic Yards/Pacific Park project. Can you let me know, I asked:

• what was going on and how long it lasted?
• whether it will continue?
• whether it was noticed and, if not, why not?

I got a response late yesterday that did not address the lack of notice. The concrete work on the new West Portal tunnel roof was originally scheduled to occur during the day, but was shifted to evening because of a last-minute request from the Long Island Rail Road, so it wouldn't conflict with train operations.

That work--I was told yesterday--was again scheduled for Wednesday, May 24 and Thursday, May 25 (last night). In other words, they again did not alert people. While I was told that appropriate measures would be taken to minimize neighborhood impacts, that's a goal, not a guarantee.