Quote:
Originally Posted by KVNBKLYN
Power supply isn't an issue. You can easily install multiple systems along the same tracks. The East River Tunnels have both catenary (for Amtrak and NJT) and third rail (for LIRR) as do several tracks at Penn that are shared by LIRR and NJT. The same could be easily done at GCT.
The obstacle to building a tunnel between Penn Station and GCT is the proximity to Water Tunnel Number 1 which, if damaged during construction, would be catastrophic to the city. There's also a lot of other infrastructure in the way that a connecting tunnel would have to carefully wend its way around. Not impossible, but very difficult.
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Water Tunnel No 1 is going to be shut down around 2020 for major repair/rebuild once Water Tunnel No 3 is complete. The case was made previously (during the ARC debacle) for that being the best window of opportunity to connect Penn and GCT without risking the city's water supply. The bulk of the construction work could be accomplished by then leaving only the most delicate work by the water tunnel for last.
Presumably there is going to be another Hudson River tunnel well before Penn Station is rebuilt in a more useful form so I think this makes the most sense in the interim since Penn is out of platform capacity. Even though the ESA will free up slots it's not going to be enough for the next several decades it's going to take to get rid of MSG.