The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation’s revised “Blueprint for the Future of Lower Manhattan,” released July 8, now lists Second Avenue subway construction as Long Island Railroad East Side Access as projects that factor strongly into Lower Manhattan’s future transportation system.

Although it remains to be seen how the blueprint will translate into action, the inclusion of the projects appears to be a victory for realism in transportation amid the debate over downtown reconstruction.

The Lower Manhattan transportation discussion has been dominated by demands to bring suburban commuter trains downtown. Extending the Long Island Railroad from Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan through an existing subway tunnel still occupies a prominent place in the debate, and is mentioned in the blueprint.  The blueprint also now includes the speculative idea of extending Metro-North downtown, but with no indication of how that would be accomplished.

The initial blueprint, released in April, was criticized by the Tri-State Campaign and others for failing to mention the Second Ave. or East Side Access projects — both are essential to Manhattan’s and the region’s transit network, are the key elements in MTA system expansion plans (MTR #361).

Hopefully, inclusion of the projects in the blueprint can lead to a more informed debate about Manhattan transportation priorities. For instance, with billions about to be spent on East Side Access, is another LIRR connection to Manhattan warranted in the near future?  How does the Second Avenue subway compare to downtown commuter rail proposals in terms of easing transit access to Lower Manhattan?

According to the Villager, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields pushed for changes in the blueprint.  “The Second Avenue subway will do more than any other project to boost transit capacity and economic development in Lower Manhattan,” Maloney told the Villager.

A more detailed transportation concept is still being developed by LMDC and is expected to be released in the next few weeks. LMDC’s Transportation and Commuters Advisory Council will not be able to comment on the plan before it is released.  The Council requested to see the plan at its meeting last week, but the request was denied.

Initial Dowtown Report a Grab-bag 
(April 15, 2002)

Beeps Slam Brookfield LIRR Plan
(May 13, 2002)

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