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Metropolitan Transportation Authority attempting to get federal loan for Grand Central project
With the highest taxes in the nation (outside of Oregon), New York can afford this. Highest gas taxes, and an 8.5+ % sales tax, $5.2 billion to spend on an unnecessary bridge, it should be no problem.
Will there still be LIRR trains to Penn station?
Answer to David in IL - Yes LIRR will still serve Penn Station. Among the many benefits of this project include reducing congestion at Penn Station, and shortening commute times for thousands of workers who currently have to switch to subways or walk up to the Grand Central area after arriving at Penn. Also should any incident occur in the tunnels approaching one station, LIRR can keep trains flowing into or out of Manhattan via the other.
I am amazed that there should be a negative comment on this project. If this money were to be spent on a new highway, or airport expansion no eyebrow would be raised. What bridge are we talking about? I grew up a half mile from Sunnyside yard. Where do these negative comments come from?
There are lots of good things about the East Side Access project - hopefully, the loan is truly a loan to be paid from the passenger revenue who use the new access to GCT.
Plus it means Metro North will have access to Penn Station for a few trains in the slots that LIRR used before the GCT connecton.