You’re looking at the still-barricaded escalator at the East Broadway station, which was supposed to reopen by tomorrow. To absolutely no one’s surprise, the MTA has failed to meet yet another deadline. The agency updated its web site today to indicate that its new “estimated return to service” is February 28. The escalator replacement project was supposed to be finished by June of 2013. The opening has been pushed back numerous times. Earlier this month, an MTA spokesperson told us the contractor was “performing final testing.”
State Senator Daniel Squadron is planning a rally at the station tomorrow in the hopes of building public pressure to finally get the job done. It will take place at 10 a.m. at Essex Street and East Broadway, on the southeast corner. Locals interested in this issue are strongly encouraged to attend. Last week, local officials released a letter written to the MTA urging the agency to make the project a priority. Squadron will be joined tomorrow by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Council member Margaret Chin.
