Plan to extend No. 7 subway from NYC to New Jersey could be back on track

[marmar]

Traveling by subway from Secaucus to the Mets' Citi Field might resurface as a possibility.

A plan to extend the No. 7 New York City subway to New Jersey, presumed dead a year ago when the chairman of the New York MTA said it wouldn’t happen “in anybody’s lifetime,” could be revived.

A report commissioned by New York City, posted this morning on the city's Economic Development Corp. website, extols the benefits of the plan.

"The extension of the No. 7 Subway would result in the first trans-Hudson tunnel connection that would provide direct rail access from New Jersey, not only to the West Side of Manhattan, but also to the East Side and multiple locations in Queens," noted the report by the Parsons Brinckerhoff engineering firm. "It would provide needed capacity across the Hudson River and advance the broader goal of enhancing regional connectivity." .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/plan_to_extend_no_7_city_subwa.html

[graham4anything]

1. This is a great idea by Mike Bloomberg, and could keep thousands cars out of NYC

The 7 train is one of the quickest and most reliable trains from Manhattan to Queens and to Citi Field(new home of the NY Mets after Shea Stadium) and the Tennis Center across the street where the US open is held.

It would also enable NJ bicyclists to ride the train (off hours) into Manhattan as NYC has after California, one of the greatest bike programs and Green programs (thanks to Mike).

BTW, Jersey republican gov. Christie had the money from the federal gov't for another train/tunnel and vetoed it to appease the tea party.

This is not the same train/tunnel, but it's something.

If it goes to the Meadowlands complex, there is room for thousands and thousands of cars.

[longship]

2. LaGuardia is near the 7 train.

That was always my airport of choice back in the day when I was working in Manhattan (1970). 7 train from Grand Central; exit at Broadway in Queens; grab the bus to LaGuardia. Helluva lot cheaper than a taxi. Forget Newark and JFK is fucking nuts.

[KamaAina]

3. JFK now has the AirTrain

it goes to the LIRR and, better still, the E train at Jamaica.

[longship]

5. But who the hell wants to go way out there?

Okay, maybe to bet on the ponies at the Big A, but not for a domestic flight. Come to think of it, one doesn't even need to go to Rockaway to bet on the ponies at Big A.

Never mind. If I am flying domestic in or out of NYC, I use LaGuardia. Haven't done it in a long time. The last time I didn't make the arrangements and ended up at Newark. Terrible.

When I last flew to Chicago, it was Midway; to SoCal, it was Ontario.

Traveling by air sucks bad enough, flying into or out of big airports like JFK, O'Hare, LAX, etc., just makes it suck worse.

[KamaAina]

4. Why not do it as PATH?

An MTA train across state lines raises jurisdictional issues.

edit: although Metro-North has two lines that go through NJ.

And you could even hook that in to NJ Transit light rail through Hoboken.

[Vogon_Glory]

6. I Thought The Idea Was Nutso Until

I thought that the idea was nutso until I read through the article published in the New York Times. It makes very good sense and cross-connects points on the eastern side of New York City to New Jersey. And it might cost less than the tunnels cancelled by NJ Republican Governor Christie.