Comments on: Fact-checking Bloomberg on the 7 line extension http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/ A New York City Subway Blog Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:58:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alon Levy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66231 Alon Levy Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:24:55 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66231 The Corona Line was built in a rapidly expanding urban area. Queens' population doubled once every decade when they were building the Dual Contract subways. It was reasonable to assume the farmland would soon turn into urban sprawl, which it did. Right now, when they're calling Manhattan's 7%-per-decade population growth a boom, such assumptions are not warranted. The Corona Line was built in a rapidly expanding urban area. Queens’ population doubled once every decade when they were building the Dual Contract subways. It was reasonable to assume the farmland would soon turn into urban sprawl, which it did. Right now, when they’re calling Manhattan’s 7%-per-decade population growth a boom, such assumptions are not warranted.

]]> By: Alon Levy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66230 Alon Levy Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:21:24 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66230 Yes, the city's goal was to hand off property to a developer at bargain prices, rather than to improve transportation. That's why we call it the subway to nowhere. Yes, the city’s goal was to hand off property to a developer at bargain prices, rather than to improve transportation. That’s why we call it the subway to nowhere.

]]> By: Alon Levy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66229 Alon Levy Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:20:41 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66229 That would be good. However, the Bloomberg administration has shown no desire to invest in ungentrified Outer Borough neighborhoods. That would be good. However, the Bloomberg administration has shown no desire to invest in ungentrified Outer Borough neighborhoods.

]]> By: Scott E http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66225 Scott E Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:21:47 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66225 Every time I read about the High Line park, I ask myself that question... Every time I read about the High Line park, I ask myself that question…

]]> By: Ed http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66220 Ed Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:33:03 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66220 Could a train have been run along the High Line and helped spur development of the West Side? Could a train have been run along the High Line and helped spur development of the West Side?

]]> By: Adam http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66219 Adam Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:10:14 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66219 How about a line using the old NYCRR/LIRR Bay Ridge Branch from Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights? How about a line using the old NYCRR/LIRR Bay Ridge Branch from Bay Ridge to Jackson Heights?

]]> By: Adam http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66218 Adam Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:09:18 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66218 BRT is probably more important in the outer boroughs than the inner ones. It shouldn't be a replacement for subways, but poorly run buses. BRT is probably more important in the outer boroughs than the inner ones. It shouldn’t be a replacement for subways, but poorly run buses.

]]> By: Adam http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66217 Adam Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:08:33 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66217 No 42nd Street Light Rail please. We need 34th Street Light Rail. No 42nd Street Light Rail please. We need 34th Street Light Rail.

]]> By: kvnbklyn http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66211 kvnbklyn Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:21:02 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66211 I think that one issue that's being overlooked is whether the 7 train extension will provide sufficient transit capacity to a new business center on the far west side. There are no plans to improve pedestrian circulation capacity at the Grand Central subway station. How are all these suburban commuters and city residents transferring from the 456 trains supposed to get to their jobs in new highrises on the far west side if they can't get down the stairs to the 7 train in the first place? And what about suburban commuters coming in to the Port Authority? The current 7 train platform is closer to 7th Avenue meaning many commuters will have to walk almost two avenue blocks in the wrong direction to get to the train. A station situated along the extension with its platform between 9th and 10th Avenues could provide easier access to the back entrance to the Port Authority. Personally, I think the extension will be severely underused on opening day, but the office development it spurs in the area will quickly overtax its capacity leading to calls for additional service. Hopefully someone will dust off the 42nd Street light rail proposal or realize that there's already a grossly underutilized double-tracked, grade separated line through the area that with a little investment could easily be integrated into the regional rail system. I think that one issue that’s being overlooked is whether the 7 train extension will provide sufficient transit capacity to a new business center on the far west side. There are no plans to improve pedestrian circulation capacity at the Grand Central subway station. How are all these suburban commuters and city residents transferring from the 456 trains supposed to get to their jobs in new highrises on the far west side if they can’t get down the stairs to the 7 train in the first place? And what about suburban commuters coming in to the Port Authority? The current 7 train platform is closer to 7th Avenue meaning many commuters will have to walk almost two avenue blocks in the wrong direction to get to the train. A station situated along the extension with its platform between 9th and 10th Avenues could provide easier access to the back entrance to the Port Authority.

Personally, I think the extension will be severely underused on opening day, but the office development it spurs in the area will quickly overtax its capacity leading to calls for additional service. Hopefully someone will dust off the 42nd Street light rail proposal or realize that there’s already a grossly underutilized double-tracked, grade separated line through the area that with a little investment could easily be integrated into the regional rail system.

]]> By: JK http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/10/28/fact-checking-bloomberg-on-the-7-line-extension/#comment-66210 JK Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:10:39 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=4149#comment-66210 The city hasn't given up on infrastructure, it has a huge capital plan. But the transportation related billions are going to rebuilding the Harlem and East River Bridges --- the Brooklyn Bridge is next in line. The big transit push is going to be BRT/ Select Bus not subways. That requires spending political capital, not fiscal capital. The city hasn’t given up on infrastructure, it has a huge capital plan. But the transportation related billions are going to rebuilding the Harlem and East River Bridges — the Brooklyn Bridge is next in line. The big transit push is going to be BRT/ Select Bus not subways. That requires spending political capital, not fiscal capital.

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