HSRR

I now see that they updated that jackson heights terminal! It may be streets at the brooklyn terminal. Definitely through the cemetery, metropolitan ave and surrounding streets.

I too would have preferred conventional rail for future compatibility with the network. So many low risk, high reward extensions could be made with simply adding a connection and using existing rails. 1) Service into Manhattan to Penn and Grand Central via LIRR. 2) Service into the Bronx via Hells gate I see this as being low floor LRV as in the IBX presentation MTA stated it would be using the streets at the terminal in jackson heights which would preclude this from ever being extended beyond what's planned today. I do not see the MTA installing high level platforms on streets. I am happy they didn't pick BRT, but do we need a disconnected gadgetbahn with proprietary rolling stock (vs the rest of the system, which is already a problem with div A and div B trains)?

Surprising that the ridgewood-downtown Brooklyn SBS did not make the redesign. Not happy about the b38 losing LTD. I was really expecting the 38 LTD to turn into the SBS.

Taking a second look, the ROW crosses the LIRR in a way that if they used conventional rail they could connect it to the LIRR east of Woodside and provide service Paris RAR or London overground style service to Grand central and/or Penn Station in addition to running it to the Bronx, this is a no brainer to choose conventional rail.

Why is the MTA only considering third rail for conventional rail option? caternary help would solve their width issue. I also don't understand why conventional rail can't share some of the tunnels with freight (since freight is only moved a night) since these would be FRA compliant rail cars. Caternary would also make the trains compatible with metro north/amtrak trackage and could be sent to the bronx stopping at the soon to be built metro north penn access stations providing the bronx for the first time ever a direct link to queens. Conventional Rail hits too many low hanging fruit to be ignored while light rail is a complete dead end.

I think the sticking point is if/when the cross harbor tunnel is built, that would increase freight train movements (which is a good thing, less truck on nyc highways and the LIE). There's semi-opposing/competing interests on that trackage. Dangerous cargo would be banned from the tunnel, but it could take almost every other type of cargo that crosses over the river via truck. Perhaps the movements can be restricted still be restricted to over night, but from a transit perspective, it would leave people stranded at night. Would there be a bus replacement t night?

93 miles of high speed track south of NY could cut 30 minutes off of the travel time between NYP to DC. Getting the time to 2hrs will beat air travel without a doubt. $117B isn't just for high speed track, it includes fixing/ replacing bridges and tunnels. upgrading slow track to 125 or 135mph where possible. It's an worth investment.

I'd like to point out that Gov Horchul wants to study the cross harbor freight tunnel. if that gets built, wouldn't that increase the amount of freight traffic on the line? And in turn eliminate the possibilities of a bus way or light rail? Unless in the case of a bus way, would it be built over the row? Or for light rail would be time separated mandated by the FRA?