checkmatechamp13 Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share #176 Posted September 22, 2011 I went for part of the meeting (from about 18:30 to 19:45), and this is a rundown of what happened: * They discussed the updates from the last meeting. They eliminated the ferry option (that didn't even make sense), and they eliminated the heavy rail option. * The people were given the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. This one woman (the same woman from last time) ranted on and on about something historical at Richmond Terrace/Alaska Street that would be destroyed if they paved over it. Then a few more people made some comments, and I asked why they eliminated the heavy rail option (for those of you who are wondering, I was the kid in the yellow jacket and blue/black striped shirt. Then again, I was the only kid in the room) * Then we went to the back to talk with the people from the consulting firm. I discussed the heavy rail more in depth, and asked why it was needed if the West Shore Light Rail would supposedly cover the Teleport. I then made a couple of suggestions for the short-term (reverse-peak S98 service, my S93 extension, cutting back more S46s to Forest Avenue) and I gave them the name of a person at the MTA who they could contact. By the way, at the back entrance to the building, there was a wedding reception. I didn't notice it, but I overheard another person say that there were people kissing. Maybe they were kissing because they were excited about the North Shore Rail being built. B) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GojiMet86 Posted September 22, 2011 Share #177 Posted September 22, 2011 No heavy rail? Well that's a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GojiMet86 Posted September 30, 2011 Share #178 Posted September 30, 2011 This is a post from Second Avenue Sagas: http://secondavenuesagas.com/2011/09/30/north-shore-options-include-light-rail-bus-improvements/ North Shore options include light rail, bus improvements By Benjamin Kabak Could Staten Island be the home of New York City’s first true light rail line? Based on an analysis conducted by the MTA concerning ways to improve transportation along the borough’s North Shore, it very well might be. The North Shore Alternatives Analysis, presented last week at Snug Harbor (and available here as a PDF), has been a long time coming. Nearly two years ago, the MTA announced a engineering study that would examine ways to reactivate transit along the old North Shore Rail Line right of way, and the agency started the Alternatives Analysis phase of the project in April 2010. New York’s Empire Development Corporation has called upon the MTA to reactivate the rail line, and now the MTA has whittled its options down to three. The sexiest choice concerns a light rail network that would run from the Ferry Terminal to the West Shore Plaza. The 15-stop line is estimated to cost $581 million (in 2010 dollars) to construct and would improve travel times from St. George to West Shore Plaza by as much as 35 minutes. The MTA says that light rail would be ” more compatible than heavy rail with potential plans for connecting services.” I optimistically take that to mean a connection across the Bayonne Bridge. As far as the light rail details go, the Alternatives Analysis made a few assumptions. First, the Clifton Staten Island Railway shop could be modified to include light rail maintenance. Second, any work would have to include a new car wash, body shop and fueling station in Arlington. The next option would involve tearing up any rail tracks, paving the right-of-way and turning it into an exclusive busway. By adding eight stops, this alternative could speed travel by as much as 33 minutes end-to-end, but it would carry a substantial price tag as well. The MTA estimates $352 million in capital costs, and for a only a busway, that seems excessive. The third alternative is called the Transportation System Management. Similar to the required no-build option added to environmental impact statements, this alternative examines ways in which the MTA could improve service by essentially restructuring existing service but doing nothing else. For $37 million, TSM would improve travel times by a whopping 60 seconds. So what happens next? The MTA is essentially trying to determine which of three alternatives will improve mobility while preserving and enhancing the North Shore’s environment, natural resources and open source and maximizing limited financial resources for the so-called greater public benefit. Over the next few months, the MTA will assess potential ridership figures, conduct traffic analysis for station sites and beging some conceptual engineering and cost refinements. It is, in essence, a pre-environmental impact review designed to identify the locally preferred alternative. They have already begun to solicit community feedback on this plan. As a believer that no transit options are going to be faster than a dedicated rail line, I’d love to see the MTA pick light rail. It would provide a fast ride across Staten Island and the opportunity to connect into New Jersey. But of course, light rail would present its own set of challenges. New York City has no light rail infrastructure, and bringing it to Staten Island would require the MTA to build up from scratch a light rail support system. It’s not impossible, but for the current MTA, it’s ambitious. Then there is the 800 pound gorilla in the room. I can see Staten Island becoming one of the MTA’s next great mega-projects, but it’s going to take some time. The $580 million (in today’s money) won’t materialize over night, and the MTA has to finish part of the Second Ave. Subway and the East Side Access project before funding another megaproject. Still, that a potential light rail line would cost something with millions at the end of it instead of billions could be its saving grace. Furthermore, New York City wants to redevelop Staten Island’s North Shore, and providing better transit is a key part of that plan. The dollars might somehow materialize. So for now, there are rumblings of a plan. Nothing is concrete, but over the next few months and years, transit developments could come to Staten Island. It’s about time. Here's the map: And the PDF: http://www.mta.info/mta/planning/nsaa/pdfs/sept2011_presentation.pdf Looks like the future is bright in Staten Island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 10, 2011 Share #179 Posted October 10, 2011 If they go with light rail, the North Shore Line should at least leave some room for subway conversion incase the Staten Island subway/Cross Harbor Tunnel does ever get built Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 10, 2011 Share #180 Posted October 10, 2011 If they go with light rail, the North Shore Line should at least leave some room for subway conversion incase the Staten Island subway/Cross Harbor Tunnel does ever get built Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 10, 2011 Share #181 Posted October 10, 2011 It's not needed since the North Shore Light Rail Line might someday be linked to the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 10, 2011 Share #182 Posted October 10, 2011 It's not needed since the North Shore Light Rail Line might someday be linked to the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
checkmatechamp13 Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share #183 Posted October 11, 2011 It's not needed since the North Shore Light Rail Line might someday be linked to the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Lines. The HBLR would only be able to cover half of the line, either from Elm Park to Arlington (and maybe further down if they decide to) or from Elm Park to St. George. I doubt people living in New Brighton are really going to want to go to NJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
checkmatechamp13 Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share #184 Posted October 11, 2011 It's not needed since the North Shore Light Rail Line might someday be linked to the Hudson Bergen Light Rail Lines. The HBLR would only be able to cover half of the line, either from Elm Park to Arlington (and maybe further down if they decide to) or from Elm Park to St. George. I doubt people living in New Brighton are really going to want to go to NJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 11, 2011 Share #185 Posted October 11, 2011 @RC: West Shore can benefit from both. the light rail to NJ and the subway to Brooklyn and Manhattan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 11, 2011 Share #186 Posted October 11, 2011 @RC: West Shore can benefit from both. the light rail to NJ and the subway to Brooklyn and Manhattan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 11, 2011 Share #187 Posted October 11, 2011 Most Staten Islanders don't want the subway, or so I have heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 11, 2011 Share #188 Posted October 11, 2011 Most Staten Islanders don't want the subway, or so I have heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 11, 2011 Share #189 Posted October 11, 2011 Most Staten Islanders don't want the subway, or so I have heard. That's not what Savino and 5,000 petitioners for a subway tunnel to Staten said. But overall you have you opinion so I'm not gonna even convince. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 11, 2011 Share #190 Posted October 11, 2011 Most Staten Islanders don't want the subway, or so I have heard. That's not what Savino and 5,000 petitioners for a subway tunnel to Staten said. But overall you have you opinion so I'm not gonna even convince. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qjtransitmaster Posted October 13, 2011 Share #191 Posted October 13, 2011 true but it should be extended to metropark NJT with stops in carteret and woodbridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qjtransitmaster Posted October 13, 2011 Share #192 Posted October 13, 2011 true but it should be extended to metropark NJT with stops in carteret and woodbridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T to Dyre Avenue Posted October 14, 2011 Share #193 Posted October 14, 2011 Most Staten Islanders don't want the subway, or so I have heard. My coworker wouldn't be one them. He was an hour late to work on Wednesday due to a huge accident on the Verazzano. He would have killed for a subway to SI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 16, 2011 Share #194 Posted October 16, 2011 On that "R to staten island" group, they fighting for the North Shore Line to be heavy rail. I don't blame them; if the just take on one project at a time instead of multiples then they wouldn't be in debt "just my opinion". Oh yeah... screw light rail, this is New York City we're talking about!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 16, 2011 Share #195 Posted October 16, 2011 Light rail can cross the Verrazano Narrows Bridge while the subway can't. In the end using existing infrastructure like the Verrazano Narrows Bridge would lower costs for any future light rail system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T to Dyre Avenue Posted October 16, 2011 Share #196 Posted October 16, 2011 The to Staten Island seems like the obvious choice because it's the closest to SI, but it's already a long, local route. So that's why another Broadway BMT route should be considered, one that runs express through Brooklyn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 16, 2011 Share #197 Posted October 16, 2011 Any subway extension would just be shot down by the people that don't want it in the first place. Light rail can utilize existing infrastructure. Just remove 2 lanes off the Verrazano and convert it into light rail tracks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 16, 2011 Share #198 Posted October 16, 2011 My newest Staten Island Light Rail Concept. It has been updated to the new North Shore Light Rail, and follows the West Shore Light Rail. Blue Line: Current SIR Red Line: St. George-86th Street (Brooklyn) via Verrazano Narrows Bridge Orange Line: Extension of Hudson Bergen Light Rail via Bayonne Bridge from Hoboken Terminal-Atlantic (SIR) Green Line: St. George-Atlantic (SIR) High speed ferries replace the current ferries that run on the Staten Island Ferry to speed up commute time to Lower Manhattan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Line1291 Posted October 16, 2011 Share #199 Posted October 16, 2011 :confused:So once the light rail crosses into Brooklyn, where does it go from there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadcruiser1 Posted October 16, 2011 Share #200 Posted October 16, 2011 86th Street via a transfer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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