Harlem Building Collapse Prompts Metro-North Service Suspension Service Restored to Grand Central, Expect Delays

Above images from WNBC 4, below right image from WCBS 2; bottom left image from Peter Haskell/WCBS 880

A building collapse at 124th Street and Park Avenue has prompted the MTA to shut down all train service in and out of Grand Central Terminal. Metro-North's Dan Brucker told WCBS 880, "We don't know how long the closure will last. We have been told by the police not to have any trains run through the 125th Street station."

That's probably because the authorities are concerned that vibrations from the trains will affect the building. The building at 102 East 124th Street partially collapsed a little after noon, and then later the entire building collapsed. The building next to it, 100 East 124th, is in danger of collapsing and will be demolished immediately. It's believed the buildings, which are owned by Kushner Companies, are vacant - no injuries are reported.

All trains are being held at stations above 125th Street. About 80-90,000 people using Metro-North during rush hour, which means that when (if) service resumes, there will be some crazy delays. Additionally, WABC 7 reports, "some equipment will be out of position because it is now stuck outside of Grand Central Terminal."

And it looks like the MTA website is currently ~~down~~ back up: "Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Line train service has been temporarily suspended into and out of Grand Central Terminal because of a building collapse in the vicinity of 124 Street and Park Avenue." And from the NYC Transit alert, "Also, due to a building collapse in the vicinity of 124th Street and Park Avenue affecting Metro-North Railroad Service in and out of Grand Central Station, New York City Transit is cross-honoring Metro-North Railroad ticket holders at the Marble Hill-225th Street Station, Wakefield-241st Street Station, 233rd Street Station and the Grand Central-42nd Street Station."

Expect a mob scene at Grand Central. In fact, we're getting reports that there are crowd control issues at Grand Central. And streets around the collapse have been closed, as the Buildings Department and emergency services are on location.

Update 4:45PM Some commenters had good suggestions for trying to get out of the city, but WCBS 880 reports bussing may be a dream: "Brucker says no way to bus people around there, wouldn't make a dent in that crowd. One bus holds 50 customer, while one train holds 1,200 customers."

Update 5:07PM Service is restored to train service in and out of Grand Central, but expect extensive delays (estimates are 90 minutes, could be more).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on March 4, 2008 5:25 PM

Comments [rss]

JacqueMehoff

wow, another Christmas card I'm not getting,

for once, I agree with Rocknrope.

Art Stewel

Kudos to the Gothamist commentators that provided instant alternatives in the face of a major disruption. You are good New Yorkers.

EastRiver

JacqueMehoff is being a complete asshole.

JacqueMehoff

I should qualify that, the working poor.

cucarachita

Poughkeepsie people can take Amtrak from Penn Station, but it's twice as expensive at 37 dollars a trip. Actually that's more than twice as expensive. Maybe Amtrak will honor ticket holders for that destination.

I usually take Metro North, unless I'm feeling flush.

JacqueMehoff

Gee, why what do you know the poor people gotta leave the city for work.

Toby von Meistersinger

From the Metro-North website:

Average weekday ridership is 270,000. Roughly 49% of the railroad's ridership is comprised of commuters to Manhattan. (This represents an 80 percent share of that market.) The remaining 51% of its customers are reverse commuting out of New York to suburban employment centers, traveling during off-peak hours, or taking day trips in the region without ever setting foot in Grand Central Terminal.

You may also want to take a look at this Times article from 2006, which gives some stats from 2005.

JacqueMehoff

Peekskill, Ossinging, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh? how much is a lot of people?

brundlefly76

nice work gothamist

good updates on stationstops as well: http://www.stationstops.com/2008/03/04/breaking-harlem-building-collapse-completely-shuts-down-metro-north/

Toby von Meistersinger

Re: JacqueMehoff

There are a lot of people who reverse commute and people in the Bronx who actually use Metro-North.

MFer

There goes another building 'artists' won't be squatting in.

JacqueMehoff

I thought this was Gothamist not Suburbanist?

Peekskill, Poughkeepsie and Newburgh????

ed_Extinct

MTA Metro-North Railroad

ALERT

March 4, 2008 4:45 PM

Service on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines has been restored into and out of Grand Central Terminal.

Customers should expect extensive delays (of up to 90 minutes) and crowded conditions on trains as we resume service. Please be sure to listen for announcements in Grand Central Terminal and at outlying stations in the event of service changes.

We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced as a result of this incident.

http://www.mta.info/alert/alertmnr.htm

Lilitu

Glad I refreshed; Steven beat me to the news. And also to the method my dad was going to use to get home.

ed_Extinct

going forward, here's an idea. how about demolish all the vacant buildings along the rail lines since the owners have been negligent for decades?

i may be taking an amtrak home tomorrow. dammit!

AHT

Another (expensive) alternative is Amtrak to Croton-on-Hudson or Yonkers, or to Stamford.

Steven

Port Jervis line will be good for people who use the Hudson Line. Especially stops from Peekskill to Beacon, since it's just over the Bear Mountain or Newburgh - Beacon Bridge.

Anyway this doesn't matter anymore. Service has been restored.

MTA Metro-North Railroad

ALERT

March 4, 2008��.4:45 PM

Service on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines has been restored into and out of Grand Central Terminal.

Customers should expect extensive delays (of up to 90 minutes) and crowded conditions on trains as we resume service. Please be sure to listen for announcements in Grand Central Terminal and at outlying stations in the event of service changes.

We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced as a result of this incident.