http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#4045 Despite the over one hundred years in technical advances since the first tunnels under the Hudson River were completed, the techniques for boring the new tunnels that are planned for the Access to the Region’s Core project are quite similar to those used in the original tunnels. The technology is however more automated and allows workers to work more safely and accurately. If the ARC project gains federal approval and financing, construction is expected to begin in 2009 and take approximately 8 years. 2008-04-06 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#3955 The Regional Plan Association (RPA) supports the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and New Jersey Transit’s effort to build a new $8 billion commuter tunnel to allow a better flow of trains coming into and out of New York City. In a report recently released, the RPA suggests extending the tunnel under Madison Avenue from 34th Street to 45th Street on the East side, shaving off commuting times for many. The project, known as the Access to the Region’s Core, is expected to be completed by 2017 and there is hope that the Federal Transit Administration will help support the effort through funding. Capacity has not been extended over or under the River since a second level was added to the George Washington Bridge 46 years ago. 2008-03-25 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#3956 There will be two hearings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed commuter tunnel under the Hudson River highlighting a change in stations once the trains reach Manhattan. The plan initially had trains arriving directly into Pennsylvania Station. Due to an existing water main, the extension of the No. 7 line, and other environmental concerns, the trains will now come into a new station that will be built almost 20 stories below 34th Street. There is opposition to the deep-station, including those who think it will be unsafe in case of emergency and confusing to arriving and passengers. NJ Transit contends that many subway systems have very deep stations that are safe. 2008-03-25 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#3778 The New Jersey Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday to grant $2 million for consultants to continue studying the Hudson River Tunnel proposal in addition to a replacement bridge in New Jersey. Transit Link Consultants will use this money to work on a supplemental draft environmental impact statement that will review the updated design changes since the tunnel was moved to the deep station under 34th Street. In total, the study for the tunnel connecting New Jersey and Manhattan has reached $24.2 million. 2008-02-14 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#3331 The Port Authority has announced plans to increase commuter fares in order to support a $1 billion increase in its contribution to a second Hudson River train tunnel. A new tunnel is expected to double the access to Amtrak and New Jersey transit trains in and out of Penn Station. Total cost of the project, which is set to be completed in 2016, is $8 billion, half of which must be funded locally in order to gain federal matching funds. Officials say that in order for the Port Authority to increase their input, fares on the PATH trains will increase from $1.50 to $2, while driver’s tolls for crossing the Hudson River will increase from $6 to $8. 2007-11-15 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#3051 New Jersey Transit and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that they will issue an additional environmental impact study to the Hudson River train tunnel project due to design modifications. The new proposal places the station deeper underneath Manhattan in order to avoid rock anomalies, dredging issues, and the tunnel for the No. 7 line extension. The other major design change involves placing both tracks leading into Secaucus to the south of Amtrak’s rails, rather than on either side of them. This study will add three months to the project’s timetable, but is not expected to change the anticipated construction date of 2009. 2007-09-22 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#2516 In addition to proposals that would make New York a "greener" city, the Mayor also advocated the addition of a Hudson River rail line between New York and New Jersey during his 2030 vision speech. The proposed addition would double rail capacity between the two states. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, who is also pledging $2 billion for the project, is spearheading the project, which will cost $7 billion in total. Part of the revenue gained from Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan might defray the total cost of the rail project. Projections have the project beginning in 2009 and finishing in 2016. 2007-04-24 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#2442 New York Newsday assesses the architectural legacy of renowned architect Frank Gehry's first building in the city, the InterActiveCorp's headquarters in Chelsea along the Hudson River. Decrying the building as "an office building wrapped in a gimmick," the paper considers Gehry's first New York attempt a disappointment. The building, a white 9-story glass structure of "billowing form," looms over the Hudson. Gehry is also the lead architect of office and residential buildings on the Atlantic Yards footprint. 2007-04-15 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#2404 The purchase of the Farley Post Office was the first step in new transportation hub designed to deal with congestion and growing traffic. Originally, plans called for Moynihan station to be completed in 2010 but delays have made this schedule much less certain. NJ transit is expected to pay $2.3 million for a 99-year lease of the new station plus construction costs in return for exclusive control of the new rail station. NJ Transit chief has stated that he would like to complete Moynihan Station before the Hudson River Commuter Train Tunnel. Construction on the tunnel is expected to begin in 2009 and be completed in 2016. 2007-04-09 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#2388 New Jersey Transit has released an environmental impact study (EIS) for the proposed Hudson River Commuter Rail Tunnel, a project by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that would double current rail capacity between the two states. The tunnel would finish at Manhattan's Penn Station and be completed by 2016. According to the EIS, the tunnel would create significant pedestrian traffic around the Penn Station vicinity, increasing traffic along 7th Avenue at 34th Street by nearly 25% from its current average of 2800 people during 15 minutes of rush hour. Some, including the executive director of Tri State Transportation Campaign, believe the study undervalues the tunnel's likely impact because it narrowly focuses on the Penn Station area. 2007-04-06 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#2356 New Jersey Transit has named Richard Sarles, a long-time supporter of the $7.5 billion project to create a commuter rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey, its newest executive director. The tunnel would greatly reduce train congestion between the two states by doubling existing capacity. State leaders will measure Sarles' performance in part on the progress he makes toward realizing the tunnel, known as the "Access to the Region's Core" or ARC. Sarles has already been referred to as a "silent architect" of the tunnel, raising expectations that construction will begin in 2009. 2007-04-03 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#2322 According to WNYC New York Public Radio, New Jersey Transit is prepared to enter into a formal partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to proceed with plans to create a second commuter rail line between New York and New Jersey. The plan, a collaboration of New Jersey Transit and the Port Authority, would cost $7 billion and finish in 2016. The federal government has committed to covering half of the bill. Increased congestion on the single line, and Amtrak's employment of it for trains in the Northeast Corridor, necessitate the large project. 2007-03-30 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#2227 The board of New Jersey Transit voted today to update existing plans for a new rail line that would connect central New Jersey to Manhattan. The revised plans include the construction of a tunnel under the Hudson River, providing commuters a direct route from central New Jersey into the city, without transferring at Newark or other stations that connect with Manhattan. Construction on the tunnel is expected to start in 2009 and finish in 2016. 2007-03-15 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#1847 The $7.2-billion Trans-Hudson Commuter Rail Project, known as THE Tunnel and overseen by New Jersey Transit, has named a partnership of groups to lead design plans for the project. The firms, consisting of Parsons Brinckerhoff, STV Group and DMJM Harris, will develop current plans that call for 4.1 miles of 2 side-by-side, single-track tunnels. The rail project will double train capacity, alleviate the traffic bottleneck between New York and New Jersey, and connect to Penn Station in Manhattan. 2007-01-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=63#1809 NJ Transit has hired CM Consortium to manage its $7.2 billion “Access to the Region’s Core” plan, hoping that the firm can help keep plans within budget and built in a timely manner. CM Consortium will oversee three engineering firms (The Partnership) who have already been awarded contracts to create designs for the proposed Hudson River commuter train tunnel and new Moynihan Station. NJ Transit hopes that construction on the projects could begin in 2009 and be completed by 2016. 2006-12-17 00:00:00