(erielack) Tappan Zee Bridge Proposal

[Gary R.Kazin <"gkazin_@_netscape.net">]

Wow! the same topic being discussed on three lists!

I read the NY TIMES story; it's confusing to say the least.
It appears there are two separate rail lines planned.  One is a link to
Stewart Airport, outside Newburgh.  This represents 2-4 miles of railroad=

between the terminal building and the existing Graham line, operated by N=
J
Transit under contract with Metro-North.  The bend in this line north of
Salisbury Mills station is only -2- miles from the airport property line,=
 and
whatever distance is needed to reach the terminal.  The story says servic=
e
would operate to PORT JERVIS.  That makes sense if they are connecting to=
 the
existing line, but it seems like that's the WRONG direction - they should=
 be
going east to Suffern, not west.

The second rail line is a 'crosstown' line between Suffern and PORTCHESTE=
R,
meaning an east-west line across Rockland and Westchester counties.  Ches=
ter,
NY, on the old Erie Main, was discussed on at least one list but that is =
an
error.  This could use the Piermont Branch of the Erie, which was the ORI=
GINAL
alignment of the Erie before their charter was amended to allow them to
operate through NJ (they had a steamboat between Piermont and New York Ci=
ty). =

It would have to leave this line near Blavelt to make a decent gradient t=
o the
bridge.  It might require a tunnel through the rock ridge (the northern
extension of the Palisades).  It would probably run OVER I-287 in Westche=
ster,
serving White Plains.  There is no mention in the story of any connection=
 to
provide through train service to Grand Central.

If it doesn't have a GCT connection, I can expect minimal ridership on th=
is
line.  Yes, there are many bus links across the bridge now, heading to th=
e
Tarrytown station.  The TAP is between stations; a new one would have to =
be
built for the transfer.  Anyone coming from existing NJT services on the =
old
ERIE would have to change trains TWICE - Suffern or Spring Valley and als=
o
east of the river.  Yeah, right, about 3 people daily.

Other lines:  The West Shore (New York Central) doesn't have passenger se=
rvice
now, and is supposedly too busy, although NJT keeps pushing and has it in=

long-range plans.  The Northern Branch (ERIE) doesn't exist north of the =
NJ/NY
line, it's a hiking trail.  Ditto the Nyack Branch.  Ditto the Putnam Div=
ison
(Central) north of the New York City line!  The north end of the NY&NJ (b=
eyond
Spring Valley) might be revivable, but it quickly gets to places with thi=
n
population.  If a track connection were made, it could possibly be at WHI=
TE
PLAINS to the HARLEM Line, rather than the Hudson Line.  This would help =
get
people where they are going - lots of those people driving across the TAP=
 are
going to work in White Plains, not NYC.

It would make more sense if the Stewart Airport link faced New York City,=
 i.e.
connected to the Graham Line toward Suffern (and Hoboken); it might be
possible to offer a 2 or less trip time.  The east-west line needs a GCT
connection desperately.

Gary Kazin
Rockaway, New Jersey

New Jersey Transit - THE WAY TO GO!!!

(I have no affiliation with New Jersey Transit.)

____________________________________________________________________
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webm=
ail.netscape.com.

 ------------------------------------------------------------
Visit the erielack photopage at http://el-list.railfan.net

------------------------------