East Side Access

Urban, underground, infrastructure….

The complexities of coordinating the MTA, LIRR, Metro North, Amtrak is quite a daunting task. We always hear whispers of a fabled Second Avenue Subway line and East Side Access. Most of the funding has been allocated and construction continues. Although completion dates tend to be fluid, the projects seem to be on track.

East Side Access routes the LIRR directly to Grand Central—thereby allowing direct access to the Manhattan’s East side. Currently, Long Island residents needing to get to the East Side are forced to either exit earlier in Queens and transfer to the subways or backtrack eastwards from Penn Station.

The project, in some form or another, has been 40 years in development. The design is scheduled to be completed in August 2010 with the project finishing up in 2016. The lengthy process, a discussion best saved for another time, stems from lack of funding and political will.

One hot topic always surfaces with massive public projects—eminent domain. In most cases, I’m fundamentally opposed to it. However, in this instance, the needs of the city outweigh the individual or corporations’ right to own property. As always, the “greater good” is a subjective matter. Simply put though, public transportation justifies eminent domain while a basketball stadium does not.

I look forward to seeing the final design. The duration forces the project to be amorphous, as technology and codes continue to evolve. Unfortunately, budgetary restrictions have eliminated a lot of direct street access from the LIRR. The new tracks will be constructed below the existing Metro North track. Thus, street access requires a much greater degree of vertical penetration than the Metro North and most subway entrances.

Misc Notes:

The project has been 40 years in development.

Design should be complete in August 2010 and completed in 2016

LIRR connected to the East Side of Manhattan

Frees up Penn Station

Trash removal through trains

4-5 townhouses removed for the 50th Street Vent Building.

Lots of street entrances were axed,