lirr_esa

IRUM and the Committee for Better Transit (CBT) have long contended that bringing the LIRR directly into existing trackage in Grand Central Terminal would provide a cheaper, safer and more user-friendly connection, compared to MTA's proposal for a deep cavern 140 feet below street level. In 1996 CBT developed its Apple Corridor plan which called for using the five platform tracks that connect to the upper level loop to bring the LIRR into Grand Central. This plan -- the Upper Level Loop Alternative (ULLA) -- has been developed in greater detail in several reports prepared by the Delcan Corporation, a well-respected engineering firm based in Toronto, Canada and Michael Schabas, a UK-based railway expert. Resources for this effort came from a consortium of citizens and property owners who oppose the construction of a ventilating plant on 50th street near Madison Avenue. This plant would not be needed if the ULLA plan were implemented instead. MTA would save at least $1.2 billion and perhaps as much as $2.0 billion if the ULLA plan were substituted for its deep cavern plan.
The consultants' reports demonstrate that the ULLA plan can accommodate the 28, 000 peak hour LIRR passengers that are projected by MTA to use this facility in 2025, without compromising Metro North operations. Even higher levels of capacity could be achieved if the redevelopment plans for buildings along Vanderbilt Avenue immediately above the upper level loop tracks included provision for additional access elements.
IRUM welcomes your comments and reactions to these technical reports.
George Haikalis
President, IRUM
geo@irum.org

Consultants' Technical Reports:
Delcan Report: Assessment of Upper Level Loop Alternative - October 2004

Schabas Report: Analysis of ULLA prepared for IRUM by Michael Schabas - October 2004

Comments on Delcan Assessment of Upper Level Loop Alternative (ULLA):
IRUM's Additional Comments on Revised Supplemental Environmental Assessment of Proposed 50th Street Vent Facility - June 5, 2006
IRUM Statement to MTA Committee on Capital Construction, Planning and Real Estate - April 24, 2006
IRUM Letter to MTA Committee on Capital Construction, Planning and Real Estate - April 10, 2006
MTA Capital Construction Company Response to IRUM Letter - March 24, 2006
IRUM Letter to MTA Committee commenting on MTA Capital Construction Company presentation - February 28, 2006
MTA Capital Construction Company presentation to MTA Committee - February 27, 2006
IRUM statement to MTA Committee on Capital Construction, Planning and Real Estate - February 27, 2006
IRUM Response to MTA Capital Construction Company Memorandum - March 7, 2005

MTA Capital Construction Company Memorandum on ESA and ULLA - February 3, 2005

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