Case Study: Delay Due to Equipment Delivery on New York Subway Station Upgrade (New York, 2013)

Project Overview
• Name: New York City Subway Station Renovation
• Location: New York, New York
• Year: 2013
• Project Size: $200 million
• Scope: Modernization and capacity upgrade of a major subway station
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) /

Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Equipment Logistics
• Project Delay

Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
Delay in delivery of specialized escalators and elevators due to manufacturing and shipping issues postponed station reopening.

Root Cause Analysis

• Custom Equipment Requirements: Long lead times for design and manufacture of specialized transit equipment.
• Shipping and Customs Delays: Import and customs clearance took longer than expected.
• Coordination Gaps: Lack of integrated schedule alignment between equipment suppliers and installation teams.
• Contingency Planning Deficiency: No backup suppliers or schedule buffers.

Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge

• Delay of 4 months in project completion.
• Additional costs for expedited shipping and overtime installation.
• Passenger inconvenience and negative media coverage.

Corrective Actions Taken

1. Improved coordination between procurement and construction scheduling.
2. Developed contingency plans for critical equipment procurement.
3. Engaged multiple suppliers to reduce lead time risks.
4. Enhanced tracking and communication on equipment status.

Lessons Learned

• Critical equipment procurement must be integrated tightly with project scheduling.
• Lead times for custom equipment require early and proactive management.
• Contingency plans mitigate risks from supplier or shipping delays.

Audit & Prevention: Project Control Questions to Ask on Future Projects to Help Control the Situation

• Are equipment procurement schedules aligned with construction timelines?
• Are contingency and alternative suppliers identified?
• Is equipment delivery status tracked regularly?