The long-delayed first phase of the MTA’s post-9/11 security program to protect its subways, bridges, and tunnels has been pushed back until late 2017 — nine years past deadline, said a new report.
The latest snag came from Superstorm Sandy, which caused salt water damage to security cameras and miles of fiber optic cable in subway tubes, according to state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
“Superstorm Sandy dealt the MTA’s security plans a serious setback,” DiNapoli said. “Although the MTA has made important security improvements, the first phase of its capital program is still not finished, more than twelve years after September 11, 2001.”
Fourteen of the first phase’s projects have been finished, but two electronic security projects are behind schedule and costs have spiked from $265 to $520 million.
Meanwhile, the MTA has begun working on 12 construction projects in phase two to protect the public, such as making it easier to evacuate the transit system — but nine of those are delayed.
Delays almost cost the MTA $46 million in federal grants for three projects, the report also says.
But the authority negotiated with the federal government, and were able to use the money instead for help point intercoms and other projects to strengthen their communication network.
Transit officials said the MTA expects to finish the first phase by March 2015, and the comptroller is linking the security work with unrelated Sandy work on the LIRR that will finish in 2017.
But the comptroller’s office said the MTA is counting a project they curtailed complete–even though they plan to go back and fix it by 2017.
An MTA spokesman said that the network is much safer and secure than before 9-11– and that the authority and NYPD keep a close eye on the system through over 4,000 cameras.
Last year, police requested images from the MTA’s camera system more than 5,600 times.