Blasting resumes on 2nd Avenue subway Friday

NEW YORK -- Blast work resumes on the 2nd Avenue Subway Friday for the first time since an explosion damaged property last month.

Meanwhile, the chief blaster at the construction site had his license suspended after the controlled blast last month sent rocks flying into Manhattan streets.

The Wall Street Journal, citing a new MTA report, says the blaster has been replaced by another licensed blaster.

Blasting is to resume Friday following the Aug. 21 incident. Workers were blasting to create an escalator for the planned subway line when two 1,800-pound steel plates were lifted, raining debris.

On Thursday, the MTA announced new safety measures as a result of the blast. A superintendent will now have to sign off on a pre-blast checklist. A second licensed blaster will verify that proper preparations have been made.

A double layer of protective mats will be used when blasting in shafts.

Blasting will resume next week at the ancillary shaft where the incident occurred.

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