The upgrade plan involves a station with brighter and more spacious waiting areas.
Foto:
Don Pollard / NY Governor Office
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If you have had to Lately take a train to Long Islandfrom the iconic Penn Station, located in the heart of Manhattan, may not have had a pleasant experience, since the service wing of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has been in ruins for months, for a remodel that seems never ending.
Now the governors of New York and New Jersey presented this week a strategic plan in conjunction with the company Amtrak and NJ Transit, to listen to proposals from architecture and engineering firms, to materialize the refurbishment of a modern, spacious and light-filled station make it easy to get around.
Thats not all. The master plan presented by Governor Kathy Hochul proposes to revitalize all the surrounding blocks that surround the historic train station, to prioritize the public realm and social services, towers affordable housing and create an urban landscape pedestrian friendly.
“We are moving toward a world-class, traveler-focused transportation facility in keeping with the central hub of the world’s largest city. Obviously this goal cannot come soon enough”announced the municipal manager.
But this announcement does not mean that the megaproject has the green light at all. The plan will have to go through a series of urban planning and historical heritage reviews of the City, you should also listen to comments from the residents of this New York town. Already, some neighborhood organizations have been frontally opposed to the project, which would include at least four skyscrapers to the chaotic area.
Besides, the National Society for Historic Preservation (National Trust) Through a report, he highlighted his concern that in general terms, the idea would “wipe out” two historic buildings included in the National Registry.
We have to wait
Indeed, renovating this space will imply five to six years after the start of construction.
An investment of 7 billion dollars coming, in large part, from federal funds approved by the Joe Biden Administration.
Currently Penn Station is the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere, serving more passengers than airports LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark combined.
Amtrak’s operation at the new Moynihan Train Hall provides an opportunity to redevelop Penn Station, removing most of the first underground level, to open the main esplanade in natural light, improving retail and other conveniences for users.
The ambitious project will be particularly beneficial to users of upcoming Metro-North Railroad stations in the este del Bronx (Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester y Hunts Point), for whom travel times to and from midtown Manhattan will be reduced by up to 50 minutes as a result of the new Penn Access.
For his part, New York City Mayor Eric Adams noted that for too long, this transportation hub has been “outdated and inefficient.”
“Small disagreements have gotten in the way of progress. I am very glad that these partners have come together and are working constructively. We have more work to do, but with this association, I know that we will achieve it”, specified the municipal president.
What will the new Penn Station look like?
- Access to the train and all its services will be integrated on a single level with high-ceilinged passenger traffic areas.
- It will create a brighter waiting area and main circulationa on the east side of the station that will be considerably larger than the Moynihan Train Hall and Great Hall areas at Grand Central Terminal combined.
- Clear sight lines will be established to platform entrances to provide easier travel routes for the traveler experience.
- Increase the number of escalators and elevators to 11 station platforms by 33%.
- They will improve and expand pedestrian entrances.
- It would also create an underground connection to the 34 St-Herald Sq subway station.
Data:
- 1910 was the year when this transportation hub opened for the first time in the Big Apple, giving New Yorkers a first-class experience worthy of the world’s largest city.
- 50,000 construction jobs well-paid will generate this project in its different stages.
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