A new RPA report outlines the actions the region must take to fix the trans-Hudson transit bottleneck. These recommendations are the first in a series of ideas proposed in RPA’s fourth regional plan, A Region Transformed, to be released on November 30, 2017.
The Problem
Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the Hudson River rail tunnels suffer frequent service failures, serve far more people than they were designed to handle and need major repairs to prevent a catastrophe.
At the same time, travel demand between New Jersey and New York is expected to increase substantially, with work trips to New York City projected to increase by as much as 148,000, or 38%, by 2040.
The Solution
Piecemeal solutions have been proposed to address individual problems, but each has been planned and studied in isolation of the others. As outlined in the RPA study, Crossing the Hudson: How to Increase Transit Capacity and Improve Commutes, a much better outcome could be achieved through a series of complementary investments that address the problems of the system as a whole.
Immediately Begin Construction on Gateway Project
Building two new rail tunnels to Penn Station would ease the current crisis and avert a transportation disaster if and when the almost 110-year-old current tunnels fail.
VIDEO: How Crumbling Hudson River Rail Tunnels Are Putting the Region at Risk
Build A Second Bus Terminal in the Basement of the Javits Center
This bus terminal would consolidate all intercity buses, connect to the 7 line subway station and Hudson Yards and ease overcrowding at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, which could be renovated to operate for the next 20 to 30 years.
Construct a New and Expanded Penn Station Complex
The new Penn Station complex would include Moynihan Station and a “Penn South” expansion to create a unified station from 30th St. to 33rd St., while moving Madison Square Garden to make way for a superior passenger experience. Enhancements would include increasing station capacity and amenities, reducing congestion at the platform level and enabling through-running regional rail.
Extend the Gateway Project East to Sunnyside, Queens
Instead of terminating at a new Penn South station at Seventh Avenue as currently proposed, Gateway would continue to Sunnyside Yards in Queens through two new East River tunnels to expand capacity. A new station at Third Avenue and 31st Street would connect passengers directly to Manhattan’s east side.
These proposals are recommendations of RPA’s fourth regional plan, A Region Transformed. The plan will be released in full on November 30, 2017 at a half-day conference at the New School. Stay tuned over the coming months for more recommendations. About the Plan »