Wrong Way Traffic on West 55th Street

Watch out for traffic going the WRONG way for the next few days on West 55th Street. Look BOTH ways when crossing midblock or at the intersections.

Con Ed and the Department of Environmental Protection are digging up the street and diverting traffic while they search for a water leak. As a result, traffic is entering the block from NINTH Avenue, going the WRONG way to get to the parking garage. The Block Association has already received two reports of people nearly getting hit by cars going the wrong way.

Please watch out for vehicles traveling in both directions on the block for the next several days.

Source of W55 Water Leak Still Unclear

I spoke with a couple of DEP workmen at 10:45 AM today. They say they still have not found the source of the leak, which has flooded the basement at 300 West 55th (on the south side of the block, not the north side as reported last night). They are now following the line down the block and are checking out the pipes in 329 and 330.

They still do not know whether they will have to turn off the water to the whole block or just to one building. Jeanette M says the cold water in her building (350) this morning was brown in color, which may or may not be related. If you hear any more details let me know and I will post.

Roadwork on West 55th tonight

Was out walking the dog and saw that DEP had set up shop at the east end of the block. A DEP worker told me that water was leaking into the basement of one of the buildings on the northeast end of the block. They will know more after they finish jackhammering. The DEP guy figures they will be working until at least midnight tonight. Traffic has been detoured away from the block. Water service to the rest of the buildings on the block should not be affected, he said.

Update: Joe W says he spoke to a DEP worker as well, who told him the leak was affecting 300 W55 (the Westerly building) on the south side. So take your pick.