Crumbling Subway Tracks Spur MTA Inspection Blitz

NEW YORK — Debris raining down from elevated subway tracks spurred Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials to order an emergency inspection blitz Tuesday.

New York City Transit workers will check more than 325,000 baskets over the next week meant to catch scraps that fall from more than 60 miles of elevated tracks, the MTA announced.

The seven-day effort was due to start Wednesday morning after after a 15-pound hunk of metal fell from part of the A line Tuesday in Queens, reportedly bashing in the roof of a black cab below. The object dropped into a basket that came loose, MTA officials said.

"I take such incidents extremely seriously and have directed my team on an ongoing basis to take all necessary actions and expend all resources to prevent debris from falling from elevated structures," NYC Transit President Andy Byford said in a statement.

Tuesday's close call was one of several that have occurred along elevated subway tracks this year. A rusty bolt plummeted Oct. 23 from the N/W line near Queensboro Plaza, where a containment basket was misaligned, according to the MTA. That incident has led to disciplinary proceedings, the agency said.

In addition to the inspections and usual maintenance, MTA officials plan to review all footage from cameras mounted on so-called track geometry inspection cars over the next week. The agency will also take "aggressive action" to prevent debris from coming loose in the first place, Byford said.

"Any of my team found to be derelict in maintaining or inspecting safety equipment, including elevated structure containment baskets, will be held fully accountable," Byford said.

NYC Transit also plans to speed up the rollout of 1.5 miles of protective netting at two new locations on the 1 and 4 lines in The Bronx, officials said. Workers have already installed netting at three spots in Queens and one in Manhattan. Queens lawmakers have demanded protection for the entire N/W line in their borough.

The MTA's latest five-year capital plan includes $200 million for more netting to prevent more falling debris problems on top of $75 million in the current capital plan, transit officials say.