SubChat Thread re LIRR Access for Roosevelt Island

As I expected most of the individuals on SubChat that responded to my query whether access to the LIRR tunnel that exists beneath Roosevelt Island is even possible agreed that the MTA would never attempt or pay for such access.

One individual, Michael549, did cite an example when a lower platform was actually created in an existing station due to rider demand for increased subway service:

“The closet example of what you are talking about would be the creation of the express platforms on the Lexington Avenue line at 59th Street. The express tracks exist below the local tracks, and when the station was originally created only the local trains stopped at the 59th Street station, the upper platforms. The heavy ridership at 59th Street, and the amount of riders transferring to local trains for that station was what prompted the TA to build the express platforms and other improvements.”

Another comment received from WillD included:

“What makes you think the LIRR trains passing through 63rd St Lower Level tunnel would be any less crowded than the F? If the MTA goes and spends perhaps another billion dollar to build a station on the lower level tunnel you may find that it doesn't provide any better service. In that case instead of competing with commuters from Jamaica for seats on the F you'd be competing with commuters from Ronkonkoma, Babylon, Long Beach or other points on the LIRR.”

My response to WillD was as follows:

“I understand and admit that any LIRR train would be crowded as are the F Trains but then at least individuals boarding at those two stops would have two options and those riders could be potentially absorbed by both systems. Currently there are 12,000 residents on Roosevelt Islander. Five new buildings slated for or under construction will add another 3500 individuals at a minimum. Future development could add another 5000. One subway and one tram will never be able to absorb these numbers. The option of LIRR access seems the most economical as the tunneling down at that width already exists as opposed to attempting new stations where the two other subway lines cross under Roosevelt Island.”

I was offered encouragement by Edwards! but also a note to be realistic:

“It possible to create such a station, but it would take a great deal of blasting to carve out a new platform AND access. This in and of itself would cost a large sum of cash,something I don't believe the MTA is prepared to deal with at this or any other moment in the future. But nothings stopping you from forming a group to push the idea..with ENOUGH people involved..it just MAY have a chace at an honorable mention..which is saying alot..seeing how the FTA is penny pinching us as it is. My advise to you is..take a shot at it..one voice can start something going.”

Access to the LIRR: On Roosevelt Island?

Access from Roosevelt Island onto the LIRR track below the subway station is undoubtedly a pipe dream. But building a entrance to the LIRR East Side Access spur would be much easier and cheaper than ever building a new subway station connecting to either the N,R or E,V lines which each also travel underneath Roosevelt Island.

For those of you that were not aware there is another tunnel directly below the tunnel that brings the subway through Roosevelt Island. This second tunnel was built with the long term goal of bring the LIRR onto Manhattan's East Side and down into Grand Central Terminal (see the below map).

The alternatives to increasing transportation access to and from Roosevelt Island are pretty limited as we all know. So perhaps the logistics and possibility of a LIRR station stop on the Island should be investigated.

Access must exist currently to the LIRR track level for security and emergency access. What probably entered the planners minds but obviously not the pocketbooks of the MTA was the foresight to build a platform where passengers (that what LIRR straphangers are called) could board or disembark the train. It would be this cost and time required to make this pipedream even a possibility.



I am sure the technocrats would scream that security issues and that such a scope expansion would make this an impossibility. In reality we will always be seen as too small a market for anyone to care. But if Goldwater Hospital is ever razed and 10 more buildings are built on that site every alternative must be seriously looked at. This one seems the cheapest of all the subterranean options.