Q102 Bus Accident This Evening At Roosevelt Island's Blackwell Turnaround - No Injuries Reported But Boulder Stuck Underneath Bus

A MTA Q102 Bus heading south on Roosevelt Island's Main Street was involved in an accident as it was attempting to drive around the Blackwell turnaround this evening at approximately 4:30 PM. The back wheel of the bus is up on the sidewalk curb with a large boulder stuck underneath the bus.

According to this Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) advisory received just before 5 PM:

NYPD/FDNY activity at location, southbound lane obstructed, northbound lane partially obstructed due to accident, traffic moving slowly.

A Roosevelt Island resident shares this picture

and reports:

At the turnaround at the end of main street flagpole Mta bus with woman trapped on stuck wheelchair lift. Lots of island security hanging around.

The wheelchair passenger was safety taken off the bus.

No report yet on the reason for the Q102 bus accident at the Blackwell Turnaround nor of any injuries.

UPDATE 12/23 - Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Interim Public Safety Director Jack McManus explains what happened:

Driver error.

The driver was intending to bear left at the fork and missed the turn. He the proceeded to attempt to make the tight left turn around the triangle and it was too tight. The left side of the bus mounted the triangle, dislodged the boulder which got stuck between the bottom of the bus and the pavement and pulled over on the right hand side of the road when he realized the boulder was stuck underneath the undercarriage of the bus. No reported injuries.

Roosevelt Island Water Main For Blackwell House Leaking Into MTA Vent Shaft Reason For Road Work At Turnaround - Leak Now Fixed

Image of Blackwell Turnaround Road Work

Have you noticed the road work being done at the Blackwell Turnaround recently? Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Vice President Of Operations Fernando Martinez tells us why.

On December 8, 2010, NYC DEP gave us " Three - Day Notice to Cure". DEP discovered that the MTA vent shaft was being flooded by one of RIOC's water main lines. The water line feeding Blackwell House was leaking under the electrical wire bank. Water was getting into the wire bank and through the conduits to the vent shaft. We called a contractor to make the repairs. The water main for Blackwell House wasn't indicated on DEP or on our maps. In addition, the water main was difficult to trace because of an interference from other utilities under the pavement. The job was further complicated by the cold weather, heavy traffic, and a very thick layer of concrete. The contractor was also instructed to install shut off valves for the Blackwell House and sprinkle/fountain water lines. None existed previously. As of today, all of the piping is installed, which was inspected and approved by DEP. Today, the contractor will backfill the trench and cover it with the steel plates. The plates will be set even with the pavement. In the Spring, we will completely restore the road.

Image of Blackwell Turnaround Road Work

Sidewalk Installed at Blackwell Turnaround

Work has been completed decreasing the size of the Blackwell Turnaround allowing vehicles more and safer room to maneuver as well adding a paved pedestrian sidewalk with ramp to the area. It is now much easier to cross the street. Good job by Keith Guerra and the Public Safety Department in fixing this potentially dangerous crossing point.

Easier Pedestrian and Vehicle Traffic Flow Coming Soon to Blackwell Turnaround

Work is being done today to decrease the area of the Blackwell Turnaround permitting vehicles more room to maneuver but still adding a paved sidewalk allowing pedestrians an easier and safer crossing path. Public Safety Director Keith Guerra explains that this was a top priority for him since he came on the job and that it was suggested by a Roosevelt Island resident. Another good job by RIOC.