In his state of the state speech on Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo mentioned a plan to send Metro-North trains to Penn Station rather than just Grand Central station.
“We will open a new spur for the Metro-North Railroad to provide more resiliency and direct access to Penn Station, which will also at the same time build four new stations to bring transit options to the Bronx.”
In its second phase, that plan is also expected to bring two Metro-North stations to the Upper West Side — one around Columbia University and the other potentially in the high 50’s or low 60’s around Riverside Park. It wouldn’t be complete until 2019, but it’s one of the more exciting pieces of news to hit the neighborhood in a while.
Read our initial story on the plan here and an update here. Below, check out a map of the proposed routes:
Photo by sonjaloves.
As always, question will be funding. I work in the transportation finance industry and I live at 98th and West End.
Every time the questions of MTA fare and toll hikes or the payroll tax or the mortgage recording tax arise, these have a direct impact on whether the MTA and the City can afford something as ambitious as this.
I’d also note that the federal transportation bill (MAP-21) expires on September 30, 2014. To see “mega-projects” like this become a reality, we should all be hoping and advocating for quick reauthorization and higher funding levels.
Can’t say I disagree with the idea. If anything, I wish it wouldn’t take so long to implement. Anything that provides transportation options besides cars, I’m in favor of, especially trains.
I’m highly in favor of this idea. It would have a great impact on relieving congestion on the West Side Highway. However I would think a stop with better proximity to the 96th Street subway station would make more sense due to access to the express trains there.
There have been studies as to which stops would be best. 60th St. and 125th were deemed to potentially have the most riders.
60th St. would give people easy access to Lincoln Center and North West Midtown without having to walk to and transfer to the subway.
The Metro North trains run right under my building along the Hudson river. I’m on the 3rd floor and can feel and hear the train under me when it goes by. Pretty bizarre.
OK, let’s everybody start to hold our breath, all together now…….
Can someone explain why we would need this? A random stop at 125th street? Whom would this serve?
The new Columbia University campus is one reason for the stop at 125th st.
My question as well. Does anyone know why 96th Street (where there is direct access to the #2 & #3 Express as well as the #1 Local) isn’t being considered?
it would be impossible to build a station at 96th w/o cutting into parkland.
we need the route because it lets Metro North customers come to Penn Station. the stop at 125th can connect to the 1 train and also is good for Columbia University commuters — both Morningside and 168th Street campuses, and the new Manhattanville campus.
The Marble Hill stop is currently a transfer point for the 1 train.