Staten Island light rail
Encyclopedia
Staten Island light rail proposals refer to any number of projects in the New York City
borough of Staten Island
. These proposals are among the several light rail projects that have been floated in New York City in recent years.
Branch. According to PlanNYC.org, which is affiliated with the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
at New York University
, "[t]he proposed five mile route, which would connect Arlington
and the St. George Ferry Terminal, would cost $360 million, with funding coming from federal, state and local agencies. In order to move forward, the project will require a $4 million allocation from congress for a feasibility study which is currently awaiting approval from the House Transportation Committee.
According to NY1.com, "Officials estimate anywhere between 11,000 to 15,000 riders would use the North Shore line.
An option that is seriously being considered is light rail transit, due to its ability to operate with cars in mixed traffic. There is a plan to run the line down South Avenue from the Arlington
station to the Teleport. The line would rise to street level at Arlington.
Due to freight trains laying up as far west as Union Avenue, the line would have to be physically separate from the freight line or the cars would have to be built to a higher crash standard. Comments included begin raising the line at Union Avenue, since it would have to go to street level anyway, to avoid interference with the freight line.
project, being championed by the Staten Island Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC). According to a news story aired on NY1
on March 8, 2007, many Staten Island residents endure very long commutes into Manhattan, and the West Shore Light Rail project would lessen this for many commuters. Beginning at the South Shore, probably near a park-and-ride in Pleasant Plains
, the proposed line would run along the western shore of Staten Island. It would cross into Bayonne
, New Jersey
, and go over the Bayonne Bridge
to connect to Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
.
In September 2007, bus service S89 was introduced between Richmond Avenue in Staten Island and the 34th Street HBLR station. As of April 2011, weekeday peak limited stop service from Staten Island stopped at 34th Street and terminated at Exchange Place
.
The bridge was originally built to accommodate two extra lanes that could be used for light rail service. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
has announced plans to raise the roadbed of bridge by 64 feet (19.5 m), in order to provide the 215 feet (65.5 m) clearance required by the newer post-panamax container ships to pass under it. While not having begun any studies, New Jersey Transit
is investigating the feasibility of extending HBLR from the 8th Street Station across the raised bridge. It is not clear whether or not such a system would fall under the supervision of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, although this is likely. Completing any such extension would involve a collaboration between New Jersey Transit
, New York State
, and New York City
. The development of a Staten Island light rail system which could to connect with the HBLR system has gained political support in New York
. US Senator Robert Menendez
supported the HBLR extension conceptually, but questioned the benefit for New Jersey.
There are several route alignments that the light rail could take. One route would have sent the track along the Martin Luther King Expressway and Victory Boulevard to a track along Richmond Avenue. Another route would send the track along the Dr. Martin Luther King Expressway
to the Staten Island Expressway to the median of the West Shore Expressway (This alignment was ultimately selected in March 2009). The final route alignment would have sent the track on the North Shore rail right-of-way to the Travis branch of the line, and from there, onto the median of the West Shore Expressway. According to recent information, construction of this line could begin as soon as 2018.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough of Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
. These proposals are among the several light rail projects that have been floated in New York City in recent years.
North Shore Light Rail
The North Shore Light Rail line is a proposed rail line serving the northern portion of Staten Island, along an abandoned right of way; the former Staten Island Railroad North ShoreNorth Shore, Staten Island
The term North Shore is frequently applied to a series of neighborhoods within New York City's borough of Staten Island, USA.- Boundaries :...
Branch. According to PlanNYC.org, which is affiliated with the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
The Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is a public policy school that offers a comprehensive curriculum in public and nonprofit policy and management. It is one of 14 schools and divisions at New York University and is the largest school of public service in the United States...
at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, "[t]he proposed five mile route, which would connect Arlington
Arlington (Staten Island Railway station)
Arlington was a station on the abandoned North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway, in Staten Island, New York. It had one island platform and two tracks. It was closed on March 31, 1953. For a few years before its closure, it was the western terminus of the North Shore Line; before then,...
and the St. George Ferry Terminal, would cost $360 million, with funding coming from federal, state and local agencies. In order to move forward, the project will require a $4 million allocation from congress for a feasibility study which is currently awaiting approval from the House Transportation Committee.
According to NY1.com, "Officials estimate anywhere between 11,000 to 15,000 riders would use the North Shore line.
An option that is seriously being considered is light rail transit, due to its ability to operate with cars in mixed traffic. There is a plan to run the line down South Avenue from the Arlington
Arlington (Staten Island Railway station)
Arlington was a station on the abandoned North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway, in Staten Island, New York. It had one island platform and two tracks. It was closed on March 31, 1953. For a few years before its closure, it was the western terminus of the North Shore Line; before then,...
station to the Teleport. The line would rise to street level at Arlington.
Due to freight trains laying up as far west as Union Avenue, the line would have to be physically separate from the freight line or the cars would have to be built to a higher crash standard. Comments included begin raising the line at Union Avenue, since it would have to go to street level anyway, to avoid interference with the freight line.
West Shore Light Rail
The West Shore Light Rail is another proposed light railLight rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
project, being championed by the Staten Island Economic Development Corp. (SIEDC). According to a news story aired on NY1
NY1
NY1, New York One, is a 24-hour cable-news television channel focusing on the five boroughs of New York City. In addition to news and weather forecasts, the channel also features human-interest segments such as the "New Yorker of the Week" and the "Scholar Athlete of the Week", and specialty...
on March 8, 2007, many Staten Island residents endure very long commutes into Manhattan, and the West Shore Light Rail project would lessen this for many commuters. Beginning at the South Shore, probably near a park-and-ride in Pleasant Plains
Pleasant Plains (Staten Island Railway station)
Pleasant Plains is an elevated Staten Island Railway station in the neighborhood of Pleasant Plains, Staten Island, New York. Located at Penton Street and Amboy Road on the main line, it has two side platforms and orange canopies. The north exit leads to Amboy Road via a long passage and steps...
, the proposed line would run along the western shore of Staten Island. It would cross into Bayonne
Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, and go over the Bayonne Bridge
Bayonne Bridge
The Bayonne Bridge is the fourth longest steel arch bridge in the world, and was the longest in the world at the time of its completion. It connects Bayonne, New Jersey with Staten Island, New York, spanning the Kill Van Kull. Despite popular belief, it is not a national landmark.The bridge was...
to connect to Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail
The Hudson–Bergen Light Rail is a light rail system in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Owned by New Jersey Transit and operated by the 21st Century Rail Corporation, it connects the communities of Bayonne, Jersey City, Hoboken, Weehawken, Union City , and North Bergen.The system began...
.
In September 2007, bus service S89 was introduced between Richmond Avenue in Staten Island and the 34th Street HBLR station. As of April 2011, weekeday peak limited stop service from Staten Island stopped at 34th Street and terminated at Exchange Place
Exchange Place, Jersey City
Exchange Place is a district of Downtown Jersey City, New Jersey that is sometimes referred to as "Wall Street West" due to the concentration of financial concerns which have offices there...
.
The bridge was originally built to accommodate two extra lanes that could be used for light rail service. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
has announced plans to raise the roadbed of bridge by 64 feet (19.5 m), in order to provide the 215 feet (65.5 m) clearance required by the newer post-panamax container ships to pass under it. While not having begun any studies, New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
is investigating the feasibility of extending HBLR from the 8th Street Station across the raised bridge. It is not clear whether or not such a system would fall under the supervision of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, although this is likely. Completing any such extension would involve a collaboration between New Jersey Transit
New Jersey Transit
The New Jersey Transit Corporation is a statewide public transportation system serving the United States state of New Jersey, and New York, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State...
, New York State
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The development of a Staten Island light rail system which could to connect with the HBLR system has gained political support in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. US Senator Robert Menendez
Robert Menendez
Robert "Bob" Menendez is the junior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. In January 2006, he was appointed to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jon Corzine, who resigned upon being elected Governor of New Jersey. Menendez was elected to his own full...
supported the HBLR extension conceptually, but questioned the benefit for New Jersey.
There are several route alignments that the light rail could take. One route would have sent the track along the Martin Luther King Expressway and Victory Boulevard to a track along Richmond Avenue. Another route would send the track along the Dr. Martin Luther King Expressway
New York State Route 440
New York State Route 440 is a state highway located entirely on Staten Island in New York City. The route acts as a connector between the two segments of New Jersey Route 440, running from the Staten Island community of Richmond Valley to the south to Port Richmond to the north...
to the Staten Island Expressway to the median of the West Shore Expressway (This alignment was ultimately selected in March 2009). The final route alignment would have sent the track on the North Shore rail right-of-way to the Travis branch of the line, and from there, onto the median of the West Shore Expressway. According to recent information, construction of this line could begin as soon as 2018.
See also
- Transportation in New York State
- Transportation in New York CityTransportation in New York CityThe transportation system of New York City is a cooperation of complex systems of infrastructure. New York City, being the largest city in the United States, has a transportation system which includes the largest subway system in the world, measured by track mileage; the world's first mechanically...
- Staten Island RailwayStaten Island RailwayThe Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority, publicly known as MTA Staten Island Railway or SIR, is the operator of the lone rapid transit line in the borough of Staten Island, New York City, USA...
External links
- West Shore Light Rail Project—description from the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation
- "Restoring Staten Island's Rail Connections"
- "Borough President Molinaro to MTA: “light rail users strongly support Bayonne bus service”"
- http://www.auto-free.org/lrt-staten.html