Capstones
More Than A Century After Problem Emerged, Manhole Explosions Still Injuring Dozens in New York City
Graduation Date
Fall 12-16-2019
Grading Professor
Andrew Lehren
Subject Concentration
Investigative
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Abstract
Since the early days of electrification, New York City has been rattled by manhole explosions –– underground blasts that injure residents, damage buildings, force evacuations, cause power outages and traffic disruptions.
Consolidated Edison, the city's largest electric provider, has for decades blamed manhole issues on bad weather and road salt that erodes underground wires. But some experts and former utility workers say lack of maintenance is at the root of the problem.
Meanwhile, city and state officials have failed to rein in the problem through weak laws and loose oversight. As a result, unsuspecting drivers and pedestrians continue to be hurt in manhole blasts as Con Edison fights off dozens of personal injury lawsuits in the city’s civil courts.
Link: https://medium.com/@GLD_Live/more-than-a-century-after-problem-emerged-manhole-explosions-still-injuring-dozens-in-new-york-e7343904e759
Recommended Citation
Le Dem, Gaspard and Sandoval, Gabriel, "More Than A Century After Problem Emerged, Manhole Explosions Still Injuring Dozens in New York City" (2019). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gj_etds/397
A manhole smokes on 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on November 18, 2019. (Photo: Gaspard Le Dem)
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A manhole smokes on 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on November 18, 2019. (Photo: Gaspard Le Dem)
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A firefighter looks on as a manhole smokes on 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on November 18, 2019. (Photo: Gaspard Le Dem)
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ConEdison crews respond to a manhole incident on 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on November 18, 2019. (Photo: Gaspard Le Dem)
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NYPD respond to a manhole incident on 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on November 18, 2019. (Photo: Gaspard Le Dem)
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ConEdison crews respond to a manhole incident on 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan on November 18, 2019. (Photo: Gaspard Le Dem)
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Manhole incidents in New York City (smoke, fire, explosions) from 2005 to 2018, per Consolidated Edison data.
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Average yearly FDNY dispatches for manhole incidents by time of day for the period between 2009 and 2018, per FDNY data.
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Average FDNY dispatches for manhole incidents by month (2009-2018), per FDNY data.
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Manhole incidents per 100,000 people by New York City council district.
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