NYC: prospect park conditions

[acathi_cyclist]

a question to those lunatics who drive to work and to those who commute via bicycle. basically all lunatics not crazy enough to take the subway.

did anybody pass through prospect park today? any downed trees, car crashes, major explosions, or derailed subway cars?

i just want to know if i can ride today.

thanks

[ken cummings]

I lived out that way over a half century ago. Really? explosions and subways in the park? Not to worry about car wrecks, I've walked around enough of them. Call 911 for them if it seems needed. Hope you ahve fenders.

[acathi_cyclist]

I lived out that way over a half century ago. Really? explosions and subways in the park? Not to worry about car wrecks, I've walked around enough of them. Call 911 for them if it seems needed. Hope you ahve fenders.

I'm not sure if it's my sarcasm or yours that isn't coming across fully. I was making fun of the "Greatest City the World" experiencing catastrophic failure every time it rains.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/nyregion/08cnd-weather.html?hp

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/flooding-cripples-subway-system/index.html?hp

[Bacciagalupe]

Dude, just ride over there. Worst case scenario is a downed tree, and you either go around it or go around the park.

[acape]

I'm not sure if it's my sarcasm or yours that isn't coming across fully. I was making fun of the "Greatest City the World" experiencing catastrophic failure every time it rains.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/nyregion/08cnd-weather.html?hp

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/08/08/flooding-cripples-subway-system/index.html?hp


It wasn't just rain, it was three inches of rain in an hour. Plus a tornado. I think most cities would have problems with that.

[acathi_cyclist]

I was being sarcastic. And, if you lived in NYC, you might know that this is not the only time that the transportation systems have had serious problems due to weather. Also, what does a tornado in Bay Ridge (fringes of Brooklyn) have to do with an underground train system in the rest of the city? As for flooding, the MTA is aware of the issues with flooding and they have not been very aggressive in installing a system to deal with it.

Now, I vote that we let this thread die because it is no longer relevant to cycling. Sorry that I ever created it.

[acape]

I was being sarcastic. And, if you lived in NYC, you might know that this is not the only time that the transportation systems have had serious problems due to weather. Also, what does a tornado in Bay Ridge (fringes of Brooklyn) have to do with an underground train system in the rest of the city? As for flooding, the MTA is aware of the issues with flooding and they have not been very aggressive in installing a system to deal with it.

Now, I vote that we let this thread die because it is no longer relevant to cycling. Sorry that I ever created it.

I actually did live in NYC for seven years until this past February. A problem in one area of the city can definitely affect the operation of the subway in other areas. Trains come and go from all areas. And we're talking about a tornado here, that's not just a little weather. That means a LOT of rain, power outages, and other damage. Also, I don't imagine that installing a system to better deal with flooding is an easy task on a 100+ year old transit system. I'm not trying to argue here, I'm just being realistic.

[timmhaan]

prospect park is in good shape. i was just there riding this morning. only one small area of water on the roadway, but it's off to the side and completely avoidable. it will probably drain completely by the end of today.

[timmhaan]

Also, I don't imagine that installing a system to better deal with flooding is an easy task on a 100+ year old transit system. I'm not trying to argue here, I'm just being realistic.

another issue is that the water is not just the MTAs problem. They can pump and divert water all day long, but if the sewer and other city drainage systems are overwhelmed, they're pretty much stuck.

[acathi_cyclist]

I actually did live in NYC for seven years until this past February. A problem in one area of the city can definitely affect the operation of the subway in other areas. Trains come and go from all areas. And we're talking about a tornado here, that's not just a little weather. That means a LOT of rain, power outages, and other damage. Also, I don't imagine that installing a system to better deal with flooding is an easy task on a 100+ year old transit system. I'm not trying to argue here, I'm just being realistic.

I completely agree with what you're saying about residual effects on service. But, you may or may not know, at one point basically every rail system was shut down. MTA, LIRR, Metro North and so on.

I was not speculating as to whether or not you have lived in NYC, only whether or not you currently live here. The delays were caused by flooding, not power outages or tornadoes. I know that it wouldn't be cheap or easy (I am actually working on the Second Avenue Subway Project) , but the flood issues could be mitigated by installing more/better pumps. Also, relative to the money that NYC loses when the city basically shuts down, I think that it is in their best interest to invest in upgrading the system.

I live in Brooklyn, not far from where the tornado touched down, and the train was actually running there. I was suprised to find that there was NO subway service in Lower Manhattan.

prospect park is in good shape. i was just there riding this morning. only one small area of water on the roadway, but it's off to the side and completely avoidable. it will probably drain completely by the end of today.

I did actually go riding last night and the park was in good shape.

[acathi_cyclist]

They can pump and divert water all day long, but if the sewer and other city drainage systems are overwhelmed, they're pretty much stuck.

Good point.

Something that many people don't know....

Because of the combined sewer/rainwater system, during storms live the one which just past, sewage is dumped directly into the river with no treatment. Just an interesting fact. Another thing that stems from the city's infrastructure being very old and difficult to fix.

[daneil]

I think that it is in their best interest to invest in upgrading the system.


I wouldn't say that too loud or the 2nd ave subway line might just stop construction yet again.

[acathi_cyclist]

I wouldn't say that too loud or the 2nd ave subway line might just stop construction yet again.

:lol:

[timmhaan]

Good point.

Something that many people don't know....

Because of the combined sewer/rainwater system, during storms live the one which just past, sewage is dumped directly into the river with no treatment. Just an interesting fact. Another thing that stems from the city's infrastructure being very old and difficult to fix.

ah, yes, the old raw sewage into the river bit. there are quite a few cities with this problem actually. i remember it well when i lived in portland, OR and the sewage would sometimes spill into the Willamette river.

[gharding]

I feel like an idiot because yesterday I was like "eh, I don't feel like biking today. I'll just take the subway." What a freakin mistake. I bet I would have flew down.. traffic was probably stopped for most of my commute.

[zacster]

As for the tornado, the tree on the Q train tracks was probably put there by the tornado. You can see the destruction on the blocks between Albemarle and Beverly roads, but nowhere else. Tornados are like that, only damaging areas directly in the path. Prospect Park was untouched, as was my block, 3 blocks further south.

[slvoid]

Here's a story:

I was riding with timhaan in the park last year, he was on the left side, I was on the right. He split right before the downhill. I moved over to the left where he was. About 5 seconds later, a huge branch, about a foot in diameter, leaves, subsidiary branches and all, comes crashing down right next to me where I would've been had tim not left.

[timmhaan]

Here's a story:

I was riding with timhaan in the park last year, he was on the left side, I was on the right. He split right before the downhill. I moved over to the left where he was. About 5 seconds later, a huge branch, about a foot in diameter, leaves, subsidiary branches and all, comes crashing down right next to me where I would've been had tim not left.

glad to help. i only ask that you name your first born son after me now.