Columbia isn’t the only one doing construction in Manhattanville.
As the University continues its demolition between 129th and 131st streets from Broadway to 12th Avenue, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is also pushing forward with a renovation project—a combination of activity that has left some residents feeling surrounded by construction.
Since June, the MTA has been renovating the overhead subway line on its viaduct—the 1 train bridge that runs from 122nd to 135th. According to the Iron Bridge contractors website, it is a $7 million project for structural steel repairs and overcoat paying.
Painting contractor Robson Rickli, working on site recently, said that construction extends from La Salle Street to 133rd Street, about a quarter of a mile.
The painting process—which involves first removing the lead and then painting the structure green—should be complete by November, Rickli said.
On Thursday, large tarps were placed over the viaduct at 126th Street. “We use the tarps for containment so it [the lead] doesn’t get into the environment,” Jerry Jpateo, an inspector for the MTA on site, said, adding that the paint job requires three coats.
In the past, the MTA has used spraying for this kind of project but has switched due to environmental concerns. “Fumes could be harmful to the environment … and there are a lot of residences and apartments around here,” Jpateo added.
Steel repairs should begin in early 2011 and end by March or April, Jack Silva, a painting contractor on site, said.
Silva, who is also a union representative, said that there have been no major disputes or accidents so far. “It’s been running smoothly,” he said.
One factor that has complicated the project is the confusion between Columbia’s expansion work and the MTA’s renovation. Columbia is working on sewage and utility relocation on 129th Street, including the relocation of gas and water mains and electrical ducts.
Local resident Keema Peters said that of all the projects on both sides of Broadway, the MTA’s work has been the cleanest.
“They block it off, no paint’s getting everywhere,” she said. Pointing to the Columbia demolition, she added, “This? I don’t know what’s going on, and I pass it everyday.”
Columbia officials said that providing updates to the neighborhood is a priority.
“The fact is that we communicate on a regular basis,” Joe Ienuso, executive vice president for facilities at Columbia, said in a recent interview. “We provide details about what you see on Broadway and what you see on 129th Street.”
Ienuso added that a certain degree of confusion is expected. “It’s not unusual that, if ... a construction project or two are sort of co-located in immediate proximity, that the folks may assume that it’s us, but it’s not all us,” he said.
Dan Held, a spokesperson for Facilities, added in an email, “Columbia remains in regular communication with City agencies and other entities, including the MTA, that perform work at or near our project sites. We work closely with these entities to coordinate the planning and progress of construction.”
But some Harlem residents, including Roselyn Benson, had no idea who was responsible for any of the construction and found the volume of work disruptive.
“Too much noise, too many workers,” Benson said. “There’s no way to cross the street or get around.”
Sarah Darville contributed reporting.
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