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Die-Nacht t1_ixwk8z1 wrote

Reply to comment by Luke90210 in What Does Queens Need More, a New Park or a New Train Line? by mikeymiggz

I know that. Which is why I prefer the link, especially since you can use cut and cover, which is much cheaper than boring (what we normally do, specially in Manhattan)..

But that's not really the issue, the issue is that the State isn't gonna prioritize this. I wish they did, but we just don't have that kind of government (due to it being ran by mostly suburbanites whose priorities tend to be things like highways, not public transit).

For this reason, I have little faith in such a project happening any time soon. This is likely why the mayor went with the Way: it doesn't require any state help or coordinating. The city can do it on its own, it's an easy win for a mayor. The BRT proposal would be similar.

Tbh, if I was mayor, that's what I would do. I would make sure no bus in the city can ever get stuck in traffic, no matter what. It would end transit deserts and unlock an insane amount of housing and economic opportunities. All without ever having to deal with Albany.

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Luke90210 t1_ixwt4d4 wrote

Is cut and cover a viable legal option anymore? It doesn't seem to meet modern safety standards.

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Die-Nacht t1_ixx09zq wrote

It's still used all around the world. The main reason the US moved away from it is because of nimbyism: boring removes the "it'll be loud and block access" excuse.

It's also part of the reason construction of underground stuff tends to be so expensive in the US.

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mikeymiggz OP t1_ixx8deh wrote

>All without ever having to deal with Albany.

This is why I wish NYC would secede from NYS. The taxes paid to the state could be used for infrastructure improvements in the city.

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