Passenger Trains > [NYC] Take the R train to Staten Island

The Staten Island Advance replays the sad history of the R train extension to Staten Island from Brooklyn.  The offer was made in the 1890s, construction began and ended more than 100 years ago.

MTA, which owns the highly profitable Verazzano Narrows Bridge, has a dozen reasons why this project can't happen.  But some people on the Island want it. Now. Soon. Sometime...


Not in this century, either



The alternative analysis process would begin, followed by preliminary engineering and an environmental impact statement. "Aside from the cost engineering constraints and finding sound ways of operating additional service alone 4th Avenue R in Brooklyn, carrying this out today would also prove to be extremely challenging on the Staten Island side," Prendergast wrote. "If we were able to connect 4th Av R service to Staten Island, the line would tie into the middle of SIR, requiring comprehensive track reconfigurations."And if that's not enough, Prendergast added, "The introduction of R service into the SIR system would also have considerable scheduling impacts on the current SIR operation." This timeline can vary, but Prendergast pointed to the long process for the Second Avenue Subway in Manhattan. Planning and environmental review began in 1995 and opening of the first phase is only expected later this year.

Staten Island has a ferry.  That should be sufficient.

No the Ferry in not sufficient. A lot of people get out by numerous express buses routes, via both Brooklyn and New Jersey. There are also SI to Brooklyn buses to feed into the R train.

reindeerflame Wrote:
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> Staten Island has a ferry.  That should be
> sufficient.

You ever ride that ferry? It's not sufficient.

Staten Island? My dad would not take me from our Island of Long home becaue "There's still Indians there". Didn't make util I was 40!

Prendergrast is full of crap. The last, 1920s plan shows the subway tunnel  tie-in with the now-SIR a few blocks south of the railway/ferry terminal at St. George, is nowhere near the "center" of the existing 14-mile Tottenville line,  longest of three original branches, that stretches the length of the Island.
A direct, centrally-accessible city connection would be possible.
But, increasing private development along the Island's East Shore may permanently  block building a SIR/MTA connection from any under-Narrows tunnel.

And unfortunately, there is no enthusiasm to renew  rail service along the 1953-abandoned SIRT North Shore line, nor any farther.
For this area, BRT seems to be the favorite transit plan along narrow, twisting roads,  per a  city survey done a few years ago.
Light rail was considered, to connect with New Jersey's Hudson Bergen Light Rail Line across the original, transit-designed Bayonne Bridge, to provide an alternate Manhattan commute via a connection with the PATH, under-Hudson River rapid transit service.
 Nope. Container ship clearance construction with widened roadways has now eliminated belated transit use of the Bridge. 

The South Beach line's former right of way is now covered  by housing and the SI approach to the V-NB.

If only long-ago politics, lack of foresight and funds had not won...


 



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/16 23:32 by Abqfoamer.

Pompous Prendergast has a cockamamie excuse for everything he does not want to do, whether it be expanding LIRR's inadequate and cantankerous diesel fleet, or any rapid transit expansion beyond 2nd Av subway and to get LIRR East Side Access done some day. Just give 'em BRT(SBS).

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