PlanNYC: Access to the Region's Core (ARC)

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Access to the Region's Core (ARC)

With no new rail tracks added across the Hudson River since the existing Penn Station rail tunnels were completed in 1910, many New Jersey commuters, Governor Jon Corzine, and New York Senator Charles Schumer are championing a proposal to add a new Trans-Hudson rail tunnel.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has said that it is willing to commit $2 billion to build a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River to provide increased connectivity between midtown Manhattan and the Hudson Valley. Current plans call for a $6 billion tunnel connecting the Pascack Valley and Port Jervis rail lines directly into Penn Station, doubling capacity across the Hudson, removing the current transfer at Secaucus and decreasing commuter times by nearly 25%. Advocates highlight the construction job opportunities and increased city revenue from the project but some are concerned about another train line terminating at Penn Station, and they caution for a more comprehensive plan to link the termination of the new line with New York City’s future transportation needs. Officials hope to begin preliminary engineering work soon, and to begin major construction by 2009.

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New Tunnels Under the Hudson 100 Years After the First Tunnels Were Completed

Sunday, April 06, 2008 | New York Times | Topic: Transportation

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.

Hearing on Environmental Impact of Access to Region Core Changes

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 | Asbury Park Press | Topic: Transportation

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.

Push for Hudson Rail Link to Extend to East Side

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 | The Star-Ledger | Topic: Transportation

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.

Hudson River Tunnel Study Receives Additional Funding

Thursday, February 14, 2008 | Asbury Park Press | Topic: Transportation

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.

Port Authority Expected to Raise Fares for Hudson Tunnel

Thursday, November 15, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Transportation

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.

New Impact Study to Assess Rail Design

Saturday, September 22, 2007 | Times Herald-Record | Topic: Transportation

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.

Mayor's 2030 Plan Gathers Support for Hudson Commuter Line

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 | WNYC | Topic: Transportation

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.

Reassessing Gehry's New York Debut, IAC Building on the Hudson

Sunday, April 15, 2007 | Newsday.com | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture

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.

Purchase of Farley Post Office First Step Towards New Transportation Hub

Monday, April 09, 2007 | Times Herald-Record | Topic: Transportation

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.

Hudson Rail Tunnel EIS Released

Friday, April 06, 2007 | WNYC | Topic: Transportation

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.

New Director of NJ Transit, a Proponent of Hudson Commuter Tunnel

Tuesday, April 03, 2007 | MyFoxNY | Topic: Transportation

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.

New Hudson River Commuter Rail Would Create Partnership

Friday, March 30, 2007 | WNYC | Topic: Transportation

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.

New Jersey Transit Plans Direct Route Into Manhattan

Thursday, March 15, 2007 | Bloomberg.com | Topic: Transportation

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.

Partnership Team Assembled for Trans-Hudson Commuter Rail Project

Tuesday, January 02, 2007 | GlobeSt.com | Topic: Transportation

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.

Management Company Hired to Oversee Transportation Developments

Sunday, December 17, 2006 | Times Herald-Record | Topic: Transportation

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.

Schumer Lays Out Priorities

Monday, November 20, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development

Among the projects that New York’s senior senator said are priorities are the Second Avenue subway, a rail link between lower Manhattan and JFK Airport, and building a new tunnel under the Hudson River to connect Midtown with New Jersey.

NY Transportation Needs Have Good Prospects in New Congress

Tuesday, November 14, 2006 | Gotham Gazette | Topic: Transportation

The recent ascension of powerful New York elected officials in the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) and Representative Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan), bodes well for major transportation projects that have thus far received little federal funding. In particular, Schumer will seek added funds for the completion of the Second Avenue subway and the linking of the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal. Representative Nadler will focus on the cross-harbor freight tunnel between Brooklyn and either New Jersey or Staten Island.

Engineering Consortium Selected and Ready to Work

Wednesday, August 02, 2006 | Other | Topic: Transportation

NJ Transit's board of directors yesterday awarded a $82.5 million contract to a consortium of engineering firms to prepare the preliminary design. Engineering work is expected to begin this month and be completed in 18 months.

Port Authority OKs $2B

Thursday, July 27, 2006 | Other | Topic: Transportation

The board unanimously authorized an initial $1 billion and a second allocation of $1 billion by the end of the year. The bulk of the $7.2 billion project cost, would not come until after the FTA and NJ Transit sign a full-federal grant agreement. Construction could begin as soon as 2009 and be complete by 2016.

Approval Is Expected For Hudson Tunnel Project

Thursday, July 27, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Transportation

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Thursday is expected to approve up to $2 billion to fund construction of a proposed $6 billion commuter train tunnel under the Hudson River.

FTA Approves Tunnel

Wednesday, July 19, 2006 | Other | Topic: Transportation

The FTA approved the Trans-Hudson Express Tunnel, moving it to a preliminary engineering phase. The advancement allows New Jersey Transit -- the project's sponsor -- to compete for future federal funds.

Feds Make Hudson Tunnel A Priority

Sunday, July 16, 2006 | Trentonian | Topic: Transportation

ARC is expected to clear a major hurdle this week from the federal government. The FTA plans to notify Congress that it intends to approve an application to move into the preliminary engineering phase.

Senators Call for Government Funds

Friday, June 16, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Transportation

Arguing NJ is in desperate need of transit improvements to Manhattan, Senators Schumer and Lautenberg called on the federal government to pick up half the tab on the proposed rail link between Manhattan and New Jersey.

Dangerously Deep

Thursday, June 15, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Transportation

Five different riders' groups - the Straphangers Campaign, the Empire State Passengers Association, the Institute for Rational Urban Mobility in New York, the New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers and the Lackawanna Coalition in New Jersey - sent a letter to NYC officials citing concerns that plans for railways and a commuter terminal are dangerous because they are so deep underground.

Ground Zero Stalemate: Linked To NJ Transit?

Thursday, March 30, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: General

Post reporter Deborah Orin claims that New Jersey officials are stalling progress at Ground Zero until New York commits to a commuter tunnel across the Hudson.

Trans-Hudson Tunnel on Transit Council Agenda

Friday, March 17, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Transportation

Yesterday the Metropolitan Transportation Council added the trans-Hudson tunnel, also known as the Access to the Region's Core project, to its list of projects to be completed in the next 25 years. The designation makes the tunnel eligible to receive federal funding.

Complex Web of Political Interests

Thursday, March 09, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Politics & Government

With only five days remaining before Pataki's deadline for negotiations over ground zero, speculation is mounting that the proposed Trans-Hudson Express may become part of the deal. John McCarthy, a spokesman for the Port Authority has denied claims that the Access to the Region's Core project has in anyway figured into Ground Zero negotiations.

Costly Tunnel: Worthy Investment

Monday, March 06, 2006 | Journal News | Topic: Transportation

In addition to the need to update the ability to transport freight across the Hudson River, there also presents a problem with regard to transporting pedestrians. A direct rail connection would make the trip from Rockland to New York only 47 minutes (down from 60) and commuters would avoid needing to switch trains. The tunnel would also reduce commuter use of the Tappan Zee Bridge and could be completed by 2015 if construction were to begin next year.

New Tunnel Ridership Predictions

Thursday, March 02, 2006 | Other | Topic: Transportation

New Jersey Transit has been conducting a Draft Environmental Impact Study that includes ridership predictions for the proposed rail service known as the Monmouth-Ocean-Middlesex (MOM) line. Dan Stessel, has recently requested that the study be expanded to include the effect of the proposed Hudson River line.

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