West of Hudson Regional Transit Access Study Open House - - PDF document

June 12, 2012 1

West of Hudson Regional Transit Access Study

Open House presentation J 12 2012

Metro-North Railroad

June 12, 2012

Agenda

• Phase I – Review and findings
• Phase II – Overview and Objectives

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June 12, 2012 2

Study’s Goals Developed in Phase I Remain the Same

• Improve commuter transit access and mobility between

central Orange County and New York City

• Provide transit options for access to/from SWF Airport

to serve the needs of air travelers, employees, and

• thers in the Mid-Hudson and New York City markets
• Contribute to the attainment of regional and local

environmental goals

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• Support smart residential and economic growth in the

SWF airport area, Orange County, and the region

• Improve efficiency, convenience, and integration of

transportation services

Progress Since Last Open House

• Completed Phase I report

Continued coordination with other agencies and

• Continued coordination with other agencies and
• ngoing initiatives
• Interfaced with FTA to review Phase I results.
• Collected and updated data to reflect recent

regional changes regional changes

• Setup work plan and reviewed goals and
• bjectives for Phase II

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June 12, 2012 3

Alternatives Analysis Process

Level 1 Screening Over 100 Alternatives and Options Level 2 Screening 22 Alternatives and Options Level 1 Screening Over 100 Alternatives and Options Level 2 Screening 22 Alternatives and Options

Phase I

We Are Here 22 Alternatives and Options Short List of Alternatives 22 Alternatives and Options Short List of Alternatives

Phase I Phase II

Analysis of Short List of Alternatives

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Phase II

Alternatives

Locally Preferred Alternative

Phase I Short List of Alternatives to be analyzed in Phase II

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June 12, 2012 4

Sussex, NJ Kingston / New Paltz Danbury, CT

Short List of Alternatives Direct Bus Alternatives

Stamford

Bus

Port Authority Bus Terminal Patterson Hackensack White Plains GW Bus Terminal Secaucus GW Bus Terminal 6

Option 1 Ramp at Rt. 207 Option 2 Ramp ‐ north of Liner Road

Short List of Alternatives Direct Bus Ramp Options

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June 12, 2012 5

Sussex, NJ Kingston / New Paltz Danbury, CT

Short List of Alternatives Hoboken/Secaucus Direct Rail (PJL)

Stamford

CRT

Port Authority Bus Terminal Patterson Hackensack White Plains GW Bus Terminal Secaucus GW Bus Terminal 8 Sussex, NJ Kingston / New Paltz Danbury, CT

Short List of Alternatives Rail (PJL) + BRT via SMC

Stamford

CRT BRT

Port Authority Bus Terminal Patterson Hackensack White Plains GW Bus Terminal Secaucus GW Bus Terminal 9 Secaucus

June 12, 2012 6

Sussex, NJ Kingston / New Paltz Danbury, CT

us

Short List of Alternatives Rail (HL) + Bus via Beacon

Stamford

CRT Bu

Port Authority Bus Terminal Patterson Hackensack White Plains GW Bus Terminal Secaucus GW Bus Terminal 10

Changes that will be accounted for in Phase II analysis

• ARC Project – Cancelled
• Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 project objectives scaled

down to a new Tappan Zee Bridge that will not preclude transit

• Socio-Economic Forecast for Orange County –

Reduced

• Future SWF enplanements – Reduced

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June 12, 2012 7

The Need for Improved Transit Services between Orange County and Manhattan Remains

• 19% of all Orange County workers employed out of the county

commute to Manhattan, making it the largest out-of-county employment destination. (An increase of over 21% since year 2000)

• The median income of Orange County workers traveling to jobs in

Manhattan using commuter rail (Metro-North) is approximately 85% higher than the median income of all Orange County workers

• Between 2000 and 2009, ridership on the Port Jervis Line increased

by 18.9%

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• Although Port Jervis Line ridership has recently decreased due to

the economic downturn and Hurricane Irene’s service disruption, the line is expected to recapture lost ridership and experience ridership growth in the future

Focus of Phase II

• Complete the Federal Alternatives Analysis Process
• Complete the Federal Alternatives Analysis Process,

identifying a Locally Preferred Alternative

• Address infrastructure needs of the Port Jervis Line:

– Identify potential yard locations for a Mid-Point Yard – Double tracking from Sloatsburg to Moodna Viaduct

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June 12, 2012 8

Phase II process

Refine Short List of Build Alternatives Develop 2 No Build Alternatives

PJL Service with Existing Infrastructure

Evaluation of No Build and Short List of Build Alternatives – Environmental – Transportation

Infrastructure PJL Service with Capacity Improvements

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p – Cost

• Identification of LPA

PJL Capacity Improvements Objectives

• PJL Capacity Improvements

– Study efforts will provide input to the No-Build alternative and focus on:

• Evaluating Double tracking of

the PJL from Sloatsburg to Moodna Viaduct

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• Identifying a Mid-Point Yard

location

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PJL Capacity Improvements - Benefits

• Improve Capacity to PJL
• Allow for added peak direction frequency to PJL

service

• Support more frequent bi-directional off-peak and

weekend service

• Allow for a more cost effective alternative to add

service

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Continue Coordination and Collaboration

• Stewart International Airport Development
• Collaboration with Port Authority, NJT, NYSDOT,

NYSTA

• Tappan Zee Hudson River Crossing Project
• New Windsor Master Plan
• Local and Regional Transit Friendly Planning

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Local and Regional Transit Friendly Planning

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• Provide mechanisms to obtain public input:

– Continue to work with local leaders; elected officials; state,

Continue with Public Involvement Process Established in Phase I

; ; , regional and local governmental agencies; civic and environmental groups; commercial leaders and residents.

• Allow for an open, collaborative, inclusive

process:

– The Project Team continues to use a variety of methods to communicate with agency stakeholders and the Public i l di O H t h i l ki b it including; Open Houses, technical working groups, website and project hotline, meetings, briefings and focus groups.

• Continue to provide timely information:

– Website: www.mta.info/mta/planning/whrtas – Project information line : 1-800-897-0302

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Key Milestones

• 2Q 2012:

– Brief Elected Officials, the TAC members and the public on the findings of Phase I and Phase II goals and objectives. – Continue updating existing and future baseline information Continue updating existing and future baseline information. – Advance work on PJL capacity improvements

• 4Q 2012:

– Recommendation of Mid Point Yard location & PJL Capacity Improvements

2Q 2013

• 2Q 2013:

– Recommendation of preferred alternative