Broadway Andy Byford ew York, NY 10003-09¢ Bastion! ‘546 252-6800 Tol (886 252.5816 Fax New York City Transit May 13, 2019 Honorable Jimmy Van Bramer New York City Council 47-01 Queens Boulevard, Suite 205 ‘Sunnyside, New York 11104 Re: Recent Developments on Objects Falling from The Elevated @ Train Dear Council Member Van Bramer: ‘Thank you for your letter concerning our response to incidents of objects falling from the elevated @ train. We take such incidents very seriously. We have taken, and continue to take, a series of actions to supplement our regular inspection efforts to ensure protective ‘measures are in place. We conducted a systemwide inspection to identify and remove all unauthorized legacy work platforms connected to our structure. We have initiated up-close inspections of our structure from the underside, using lift trucks, by a combined engineering and maintenance team. During these inspections, the team idemtfies and clears imminent issues that could result in material falling. They also probe and identify steel repair needs and remove any loose material from the structure. To accelerate this important effort, we have supplemented our workforce with resources from four consulting companies. Our inspections began along the @ line, and these up-close engineering and maintenance inspections are almost complete. Still to be done is a stretch of Roosevelt Avenue near Willets Point that is currently under road construction and two areas that require access through Long Island Railroad (LIRR). We are working with the New York City Department of Transportation and LIRR to coordinate access for our lift trucks along this stretch. Our engineering team has conducted an inspection along these sections from the ground level Structural painting projects are currently in process for the @ line elevated structure. The first phase is a $60M project currently underway to paint between 72 and 104" St, including efforts to clean loose paint/dirt/grease from steel. The second phase is a $56M project with anticipated award next month for similar work from 48" St to 72™ St, We have conducted a full topside inspection to identify and remove loose track materials, debris, and hardware. We are now in the midst of two additional blitz inspections to reinforce protective measures: MTA New York City Trans isan agency ofthe Matropoitan Transportation Autharty, State oRecent Developments on Objects Falling from The Elevated @ Train May 13, 2019 Page 2 © A topside inspection to identify and install any missing track baskets that are strategically staged at joints in rail to capture loose hardware and keep it from falling to the street. © An additional underside inspection to ensure clips that fasten our ties to the girder flange are secure, with safety retainers in place. We are reviewing and strengthening our inspection protocols to further protect against falling ‘track hardware — including: © Formalizing and documenting our underside inspections of track components. © Enhancing track construction procedures to strengthen protocols and precision with respect to handling surplus materials. © Reaching out to sister agencies to learn about their inspection protocols to identify further enhancements. ‘Your specific request for netting is being reviewed. Netting would impede access, close-up inspection, and assessment of corrosion or defects on the structure, and cause extensive street level traffic disruption to install and secure. We are nonetheless exploring engineering designs and preliminary costs to evaluate the feasibility and consider all aspects of this option before making a final determination. We are committed to continuing to identify all opportunities to further enhance our procedures and efforts. If you have any additional questions, please feel to contact me or have a member of your staff contact Robert Marino, Acting Vice President of Government and Community Relations, at 646-252-2660. ad Andy Byford President