NYC MTA: “Deficient” GC Creates Problems for Elevator Project

Forte Construction Corp., a general contractor (GC) the NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) describes as “deficient in supplying the contract-required documents to move items to completion” is at least partly responsible for delays in replacing elevators at three subway stations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, the New York Post is among outlets to report. MTA also called out “the new elevator subcontractor” for failing to expedite “documentation efforts and work completion.” For questions about the project, MTA referred ELEVATOR WORLD to Forte, which did not respond to a request for information by press time. The source observes the project is far over budget — US$56 million versus US$34 million when first approved in 2014 — and “months behind an already-extended deadline.” In Brooklyn Heights, three new lifts at the very deep Clark Street Station have broken down at least 12 times in the past few months, leading to entrapped riders and delays. Delays appear to be worst at Brooklyn’s Court Street Station, where activity is minimal and construction sheds block portions of a busy street.