THE tunnel between NYC and N.J

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Trains news wire recently mentioned a plan do drill a new tunnel under the Hudson river between NYC and N.J. (italics)

NEW YORK — Two U.S. senators on Monday called for federal assistance in the push for a new tunnel under the Hudson River to increase commuter train traffic from New Jersey into Manhattan, according to a story from The Asbury Park Press in New Jersey.

Sens. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., said federal approval should be sped up for the first stage of engineering on the proposed Trans-Hudson Express Tunnel. The $6 billion “THE Tunnel” would help relieve traffic congestion on area highways, the senators said.

“We are making a bi-state, major effort to pu***his tunnel, which is good for New York, good for New Jersey, good for jobs and future prosperity and less congestion in the whole metro region,” Schumer said.

Lautenberg said the project, which advocates contend would double rail capacity between the two states over the next two decades, is critical for the region.

“If we continue on the path that we’re on, we’re headed for trouble,” he said.

Construction could begin as soon as 2009 and be complete by 2016, said Kris Kolluri, New Jersey’s transportation commissioner.

Earlier this month, the four U.S. senators from New Jersey and New York wrote to U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta urging financial backing for the project.

Does anyone know more details about it. I guess, it will be an additonal tunnel, not to replace the existing PATH- oder ex-PRR-tunnels, and it will be electrified, due to NYC-regulation. Will the tunnel be single or double-track? Will it lead into Penn-Station? This would open great opportunities to continue LIRR-trains under the Hudson into N.J. Or will the be a new routing? Whrere will the tunnel connect to existing railroads in N.J.?

2

Did you see this-
http://www.njtransit.com/nn_press_release.jsp?PRESS_RELEASE_ID=2212

3

From what I understand, the new tunnel will have the ability to carry two tracks. It will lead into a new 6-track station located under 34th Street (one block from the existing Penn Station). The new station will be connected to Penn Station. The new station and tunnel will allow NJT’s Raritan Valley, Pascack Valley and Main/Bergen Lines to enter New York.

Speaking of Penn Station, there’s been talk of moving Madison Square Garden to the west side of the Farley Post Office and replace the existing arena with a office building. I think if that were to occur, they should improve Penn Station below it. Raising the currently low ceiling would be a good start.

4

Phantom

That would be good. MSG is THE ugliest building in NYC and Penn Station is a big porcellen toilet bowl of a station, be good to knock’em both down and rebuild 'em.

5

Tahnk you for the answers and the link

6

…What has happened to all the plans to move Penn Station over to the Farley Post Office Buiilding first talks started by Sen. Moynahan some years ago. Read on here that financing was already in place at that time…?

Isn’t it tragic the beautiful building that was destroyed back in the mid 60’s to make way to build that building some call ugly…Madison Square Garden. And at that time squeeze all the workings of Penn Station down below it where the tracks were in the first place…

7

What’s the latest on the plan to build a tunnel connecting Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal? THAT would be a very expensive undertaking, Gotham’s version of Boston’s Big Dig, only no mega highway would be involved.

motor

8

WOW finally, after all this time NYC and NJ have decided to build a tunnel due to incressed traffic. I think this needed to be done a long time ago. The tunnel that is used now, is highly conjested. I remember waiting outside NYC on NJT for about 1hour due to tunnel traffic, and this was back in 1996.

I do wonder is this tunnel going to be, builit next to the Holland tunnel?? Were do they want to start construction allong the Hudson?