Storm Defense: MTA Tests 20-Ton Flood Doors in Tunnels

By BoroPark24 Staff

The MTA Bridges and Tunnels and MTA Construction and Development teams have commenced overnight flood door tests at the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. 

Each flood door, weighing over 20 tons, measures 29 feet in width, 14 feet in height, and nearly two feet in thickness. These robust doors serve as a critical defense mechanism, designed to prevent water infiltration during coastal storms and protect the tunnels from extensive damage, similar to what occurred during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Eight doors were installed in 2017 as part of the Agency’s long-term flood mitigation program.

Testing of these doors requires the tunnel tubes to be fully closed to traffic.

The scheduled future testing dates at the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel are as follows:

• Monday, July 22 at 9:00 p.m. through Tuesday, July 23 at 5:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, July 23 at 9:00 p.m. through Wednesday, July 24 at 5:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, July 24 at 9:00 p.m. through Thursday, July 25 at 5:00 a.m.

Motorists are advised to check real-time updates on service changes by visiting mta.info. Additionally, customers can sign up for real-time email and SMS alerts from MTA Bridges and Tunnels for timely information.

photos: MTA