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Second Avenue Subway Construction Drill Pops Up on East 90th Street

By DNAinfo Staff on July 8, 2010 11:37am

By Gabriela Resto-Montero and Yepoka Yeebo

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

UPPER EAST SIDE — A runaway drill for the Second Avenue Subway popped up through the street Thursday morning.

The 15-foot drill was testing the type of rock on the west side of Second Avenue early Thursday morning when it curved and broke through the road at East 90th Street, said Aaron Donovan, spokesman for the MTA.

The resulting hole measured just two inches in diameter and was quickly patched up before morning rush-hour, Donovan said.

No one was injured in the incident and the causes of the malfunction remained under investigation, he said.

Residents and businesses on East 90th Street did not report any interruptions to service or disruptions.

Verizon crews at the place on Second Avenue where a probe drill burst through the surface Thursday. Representatives for the company said phone service was not interrupted.
Verizon crews at the place on Second Avenue where a probe drill burst through the surface Thursday. Representatives for the company said phone service was not interrupted.
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DNAinfo/Gabriela Resto-Montero

Verizon crews at the scene investigated whether damage was done to the company's underground equipment, but a representative said that there had not been any phone outages.

The Tunnel Boring Machine launched by the MTA in June got off to a slow start because of poor rock quality. Once the 450-ton machine clears the start-up phase, it is expected to drill through 50 feet of rock a day.


Verizon workers documented the spot (at left) where the drill broke through to asses the damage Thursday.
Verizon workers documented the spot (at left) where the drill broke through to asses the damage Thursday.
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DNAinfo/Gabriela Resto-Montero