Posted on 06/08/2009 4:30:45 PM PDT by ml/nj
New Jersey officials have been planning the next train tunnel under the Hudson River for so long that it is already on its third name. This month, work is scheduled to begin on the Mass Transit Tunnel — formerly known as the Trans-Hudson Express and, before that, Access to the Region’s Core — more than 15 years after it was conceived.
A ceremonial groundbreaking was set for Monday alongside a highway in North Bergen, N.J., the site of the first small piece of what could be the biggest transit project in the country. The tunnel, which is expected to take eight years to complete, bears a current price tag of $8.7 billion. That is about $6 billion less than the so-called Big Dig highway tunnel in Boston cost but about $6 billion more than the project’s original price.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I didn't say that no one rode a train. I said no one I know rides the train. You already ride you said. So how is the new tunnel going to help you? Do you get a seat? Does anyone stand on your train? I don't know.
You also said you haven't been here long. So you might not be aware that NJ has been drawing businesses away from NYC because of the congestion and high rents there. If it becomes easier to travel into NYC some of that impetus goes away.
But I don't think it will become easier to get into NYC. This new tunnel is a boondoggle of historic proportion. They say it's been on the drawing board for 15 years, so obviously it's been rejected quite a few times by now. There's a reason.
Figure out how many new riders you think it might draw and divide it into $8.7 bil PLUS the cost of the new infrastructure to support the new riders and let me know how many centuries it will be before it even SEEMS like a good deal.
ML/NJ
Those trains, at least the midtown direct line is PACKED. Get a seat? No. Lucky to squeeze on to stand on many of them. There’s been no additional capacity available - the tunnel and lines are shared with Amtrack, and they can’t schedule more trains through it.
The railroads had to build their ‘road’ the trucking companies did not, Uncle Sam did, the Interstate system killed the railroads.
The only time I typically see issues with congestion is at peak period, when trains are often held TWICE, once at the old "Manhattan Transfer" in Harrison/Kearny and then again at the west side cut right before you pull into Penn Station proper. Nevertheless, I don't really see that that justifies a second tunnel.
Don't. I did recently, the first time in a number of years. It was the most unpleasant train ride I think I ever took. The train was rattly and dirty, the tracks were in terrible condition, and the conductress was stupid and arrogant. She took my ticket and minutes later accused me of not having one.
ML/NJ
Only about half of the commuter trains, the ones to Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Union, Morris Somerset and Hunterdon Counties went to Hoboken and the PATH trains (and, in the old days, the ferry boats, now returned, I hear). The trains to downtown Newark, Elizabeth, Middlesex, Mercer, and Monmouth Counties went thru downtown Newark (intersecting the other PATH line) and into Penn Station (meeting the Long Island RR). That line is also the mainline of Amtrak, including the Acela and Metroliner trains.
When I was growing up, making that run meant a real train, most often pulled by a magnificent General Electric GG1 locomotive. The ride was smooth and quiet, the cars were clean, and the staff was competent and courteous.
Next time, I will take the bus.
You're right. After running the numbers it doesn't make any financial sense. At least they are spending our money on a hard asset used and built by working people, rather than wasting it on non-workers. This puts a serious $8.7 billion hole in the march to socialism.
Okay. 2000 working people at $150K per year for ten years is 3 Bil. Don't tell me the other 5.7 Bil is for materials! It's for non-workers.
(And I think it would be really tough to have 2000 people working at the same time on a tunnel.)
ML/NJ
Biden gaffe: New rail tunnel being built for cars?
NJ .com | 6/9/09 | Herb Jackson
Posted on 06/08/2009 10:55:03 PM PDT by pissant
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2267796/posts
Work starts on $8.7b N.Y.-N.J. tunnel
boston | June 9, 2009
Posted on 06/09/2009 4:54:56 AM PDT by JoeProBono
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2267864/posts
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