Neverending East Houston Reconstruction Closer to Completion as 2nd Avenue Intersection is Paved

Another section of the East Houston Reconstruction Project is wrapping up. But, after seven years of headaches along the thoroughfare, there is still more work to go. This means that it’s four years behind schedule.

The Department of Design and Construction recently completed the block-long slate of upgrades between Chrystie Street/Second Avenue and the Bowery. Most of the clutter was removed in the last few days to make way for the resurfacing equipment. Never had we ever thought that seeing these vehicles on the street would be such a welcome sight.

According to the weekly construction bulletin distributed by the agency, however, there is still plenty of work ahead. Next steps include preparing the center median for plantings and pavers, and, most importantly, continued work on the final piece. The intersection of East Houston and the Bowery.

Officials initially anticipated a springtime completion date for the work, but later revised the target date to later this “summer.” The city hit additional delays due to interference with existing underground wiring during installation of the 20-inch water main west of Chrystie Street.

This latest milestone arrives roughly nine months after the city completed the stretch of East Houston between Chrystie and Orchard Streets.

This debacle of a project has been approximately thirteen years in the making. What an embarrassment.

The multimillion-dollar capital works initiative began on the west side of Manhattan back in 2004, and reached the Bowery roughly six years later in June 2010. This was the beginning of Phase II, initially slated to last only three years. Not surprisingly, the timetable was revised so many times it’s not even worth recounting the history. Through it all, businesses on these blocks suffered, from Russ & Daughters to Katz’s Deli (remember that epic water main break?), and Yonah Schimmel’s.