ARC: The new trans-hudson train tunnel from N.J. to Manhattan. Video on the project

[miketoronto]

Check out the project on the ARC project at

http://arctunnel.com/video/


The website has great information in addition to the video.
This is a great project, as it puts the focus on maintaining Manhattan as the centre of the region, and improving transit to do this.

[Justin10000]

Yeah, I highly doubt Newark will take Manhattan's place anytime soon.

This is needed. The current entry points are at capacity.

[Swede]

Great video. Which they'd do a similar one for the commuterrailtunnel they're starting to dig here.

Only doubt I'd have about the project is... connecting it eastward? wouldn't that be a good idea?

[J. Will]

They were considering adding two new tracks in each direction, but are only going with one new track in each direction. Hopefully there will be room to add another new track each way eventually. The video says ridership will double over the next 20 years, which would mean if it's already at capacity it will be again in 20 years, unless they start using larger trains.

[lazar22b]

Cool video and great project. It is very needed

However, if they are at capacity now, and are projecting the amount of people taking the train to double by 2020 is there any more immediate relief? This project isn't finished until 2017. By that time, won't they be near capacity once again. Seems like they should have just gone ahead with two double track tunnels rather then single track.

[Crawford]

Originally Posted by lazar22b

Cool video and great project. It is very needed

However, if they are at capacity now, and are projecting the amount of people taking the train to double by 2020 is there any more immediate relief?

Yes, it is currently impossible to add new rush hour trains from NJ into Penn during peak rush hour, which is why they are doing the second tunnel.

Here's what NJ Transit is doing to cope until the tunnel opens:

1. Ordering only double-decker rail cars (about halfway completed).

2. Lengthening platforms at Penn and at key suburban stations (design completed, some funding, but no construction date).

3. Adding a new South Concourse at Penn to handle crowds (design completed, no funding or construction date).

[tdawg]

Cool video and a visionary project. I'd love to see this built in conjunction with the new Moynihan Station.

[Lecom]

That's great!

[theWatusi]

Sweet. Maybe the prospect of a one seat ride into Penn will increase the chance of service to Scranton/Wilkes Barre and the Lehigh Valley.

[sciguy0504]

Can someone confirm this is now on-hold? If so, that would be a major disappointment.

[J. Will]

N.J. halts new work on $8.7B N.Y.-N.J. tunnel project due to budget issues

[volguus zildrohar]

Following some links I came across this. Apparently some fol;ks don't see the tunnel as a good thing for NJ.

[Nexis4Jersey]

I used to be for this Project , but now i think its a waste. I rather have them expand Hoboken Terminal and Build a New station in the NJ Gold Coast. I think this project was poorly planned & should have been killed years ago.

[miketoronto]

But would they need more capacity after this tunnel is built? As sad as it might be, Manhattan is going to hit a level where it won't be able to fit any more buildings or people.
So who knows this one new tunnel might be enough.

[fflint]

I'm surprised NJ Transit has only one track in each direction into and out of Manhattan.

[miketoronto]

Originally Posted by fflint

I'm surprised NJ Transit has only one track in each direction into and out of Manhattan.

Until the 90's NJ was not much of a commuter market for NYC. But over the years many New Yorkers have left the city for the cheaper homes of NJ, and a whole new commuter market has started that was not there before.
I remember reading a report about NJ Transit and how their rail ridership has just skyrocketed over the last 20 years where before that they were not carrying as many people as most people did not commute between the two states for work.

[fflint]

PATH has been bringing commuters from Jersey into Manhattan for decades.

[Nexis4Jersey]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

But would they need more capacity after this tunnel is built? As sad as it might be, Manhattan is going to hit a level where it won't be able to fit any more buildings or people.
So who knows this one new tunnel might be enough.

The Problem with the New Tunnel and station is it dips to deep and only adds 6 new tracks. Thats barely enough , considering Newark & Hoboken are bigger then that and at Capacity. The new station can't be expanded any further due to the New Water Tunnel. So my plan and many ppl in the Rail Community agree with my Expand Hoboken and and build a New Station somewhere in the NJ Gold Coast with connections to the Ferrys and PATH.

Originally Posted by fflint

I'm surprised NJ Transit has only one track in each direction into and out of Manhattan.

We have 2 , but we both share them with Amtrak which also plans on expanding and building New Tunnels into NYC.

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by miketoronto

But would they need more capacity after this tunnel is built? As sad as it might be, Manhattan is going to hit a level where it won't be able to fit any more buildings or people.
So who knows this one new tunnel might be enough.

err....really? details please. Have you ever been to Hong Kong or Tokyo or Seoul? A city can always fit more buildings and people.

Originally Posted by miketoronto

Until the 90's NJ was not much of a commuter market for NYC.

What the hell are you talking about? Assgassery?

[Nexis4Jersey]

Over the Next 20-30 years NJT / West of the Hudson Metro-North will restore between 300-360miles of Rail. Only about 30% of that would feed into NY Penn , the rest would go to Hoboken Terminal which is 2x the size of NY Penn.