The Trans Hudson Express

We've received a bit of feedback about a story this week on the Access to the Region's Core project, a $7.6 billion (at least) pair of New Jersey Transit rail tunnels slated for under the Hudson River—mostly criticisms of the project as currently planned.

The route of the tunnels has drawn criticism from many transportation advocates and some elected officials, particularly over the failure of the project to connect to tracks in Pennsylvania Station and the lack of a connection with Grand Central. Advocates have also criticized the depth of the station platforms under 34th Street, which would be about 150 feet below the street and require high-speed escalators to reach the top, though New Jersey Transit has dismissed the alternatives as far too costly.  read more »

As the Bush administration ends and area governments confront daunting budget gaps, what’s being called the nation’s most important public transportation project, a massive New Jersey Transit tunnel planned under the Hudson River, faces significant hurdles to funding and construction. Delays could send its already $7.6 billion price tag soaring.

Known as Access to the Region’s Core (ARC), it is the largest individual transportation project in the New York area by dollars, and would double the railroad’s capacity, allowing for 80,000 more riders daily, with a new river crossing and a fresh set of platforms by Pennsylvania Station.  read more »