SubChat: Second Ave Subway – Third Phase to Bring “U Train” to Supplement “F Train”?

Prior to today, I had started two threads on SubChat regarding increasing mass transit access to Roosevelt Island. The first focused on the LIRR East Side Access project and the possibility of gaining entrance to the LIRR track below the existing F Subway Train track below the Roosevelt Island. The second was my post regarding the recent letter sent to NYCTA President Roberts calling for a temporary extension and return of the Q train to Roosevelt Island to supplement the F Train.

In both cases the posts lead to some interesting discussions regarding track capacity and some very interesting subway line reconfigurations among the various Queensbound subway lines by all the transit buffs and TA employees who frequent the SubChat site.

Today I found a new discussion thread where the posting party indicated that the Third Phase of the Second Avenue Subway (SAS) project will include a connection to the Second Avenue Subway at 55th Street and Second Avenue which will allow for a new “U” Train that would link up to the existing 63rd Street Tunnel that the F Train runs through connecting Roosevelt Island.

There is nothing stated on the SAS Project pages about this and the posting party’s basis is a small Easterly track turnoff circled on the above SAS map. The idea being that this new U Train would have its Queens terminus at 179th Street along with the F Train. One response doubting this all mocked up a station sign for 179th Street that would make the MTA rethink alphabetic line listings see below.

This is all just fun / conjecture posted for discussion purposes like many of the posts on SubChat but it does beg the question what the 55th Street turnoff is for.

Update:

As Craig stated in the comments the folks over at SubChat may be having fun with me regarding my earlier postings there and it would not be the first time but I actually think the initial posting was again written based on these folks loving puzzles and their desire to truly work through what can and cannot work. But again as some of the responses make clear they do not think the needs of 10,000 "possible" subway riders is worthy of affecting subway lines that serve two hundred thousand.

Image: Queensborough Bridge from Tram Platform

Link here for Original Photo Image by Blueleaf on Flickr

Will Roosevelt Island Get an N Train Stop as Result of Second Avenue Subway?

As part of the SubChat thread discussing the LIRR East Side Access project and the LIRR tunnels below Roosevelt Island one discussion participant indicated that the N train may is going to stop at Roosevelt Island as a result of the Second Avenue Subway expansion. Read the below line of discussion as that appears to be what is being stated. I have no confirmation of this but this certainly would add capacity to our station.

Broadway Lion: “Besides, the (N) train *will* be going through there too as part of the Second Avenue Subway project. The (Q) will go up 2nd Avenue, and there will be no terminal at 57th Street any more. The (N) will run via 63rd Street and the (R) and (W) trains will run via the 60th Street Tunnel.”

RI 360: “Are you saying you heard something that the *N* will be rerouted to travel through the 63rd Street Tunnel and stop on Roosevelt Island?”

Broadway Lion: “Yes. The (Q) and the (N) trains are both express on Broadway.The Broadway Express trains will take the 63rd Street routing and run via the Bridge.The Broadway Local trains will take the 60th Street tunnel and run via the Tunnel.This will simplify switching and increase the capacity and speed up the running times on the Broadway line. The (N) will return to Continental Avenue, and the (R) will return to Astoria. (R) trains will continue to be serviced in Jamaica.”

This is the first I have heard of this possibility so I have not yet tried confirming this with anyone or the MTA but if true this is exciting. If this has been part of the overall Second Avenue Subway plan why has no one on Roosevelt Island heard this before?

UPDATE - 615pm:

RI 360: "I am guessing this is all very educated conjecture with nothing yet published by the MTA indicating that these are planned route changes? If this is published somewhere I'd be interested in knowing the source. "

Broadway Lion: "Correct. LIONs are smarter than a whole box of burocrats."

OK, so this is all conjecture. It will be nice to dream that it could happen. In the meantime we only have our F Train.

The Last Trolley Kiosk in Manhattan Unveiled

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

For the last year since the Tram came back on line I have looked each day upon the gated kiosk at the foot of the Queensborough Bridge wondering what this structure was and even after I knew its history I felt it was a shame that it sat not only behind bars but that the bars were blocked not allowing anyone to see it unless you looked at it from above.

So when I came over the Tram today and saw that the bars were now uncovered I knew I had to photograph it and videotape it. I have been commuting into Manhattan with my son since school began this year so this was the first opportunity I took notice of it being unveiled.

I don’t know why the City chose to uncover it and I intend to find out. Knowing Judy Berdy of the Historical Society I am guessing she already knows. Once I learn why I will report it here. So for those of you smart enough to not try running across traffic to see this last kiosk in Manhattan up close enjoy the video.