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Port Jervis Line PlanningPort for Jervis the Line Future Planning for the Future
July 18, 2013
Metro-North Railroad
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What Is The Port Jervis Line?
• 60 mile extension in New York State of NJT’s Main/ Bergen Line • Owned by Norfolk Southern.
• Operated under a service agreement with NJ TRANSIT
• Infrastructure is Metro -North’s responsibility • Primarily serves Orange County - 7 Stations in Orange County - 1 Station in Rockland County
What Is The Port Jervis Line?
• Major Stations - Harriman - Salisbury Mills - Middletown
• Current Service
Weekday - 13 Inbound
- 8 Peak Period - 5 Off Peak - No Reverse Peak Weekend - 7 Inbound
• PJL Market share is small compared East of Hudson
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Peak Period Travel Time and Frequency *
# Trains PSNY** WTC** GCT
- Harriman 8 78 90 - (West of Hudson) -Beacon to GCT 12 - - 80 (East of Hudson)
* Arriving destination between 6:00am and 10:00am ** Via transfer
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History of Investments
In 2003: – Secaucus Transfer opened, reducing travel time to midtown – Metro-North assumed responsibility for Port Jervis Line from Norfolk Southern
• Both initiatives required significant investment in the line
• Led to: - 21% growth in ridership - 53% expansion weekday service
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Tropical Storm Irene
• On August 28, 2011, Tropical Storm Irene caused significant damage to the Port Jervis Line
• Catastrophic damage in the 14 miles between Harriman and Suffern:
– Washed away roadbed – Exposed/underwater signal cables – Twisted and misaligned track – Exposed bridge structures – Significant erosion of the ROW along the banks of the Ramapo River
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Rebuilding Service
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Before & After
Restoring Full Service Full train service resumed on November 28, 2011 One month earlier than expected
Photo Courtesy: Times Herald Record
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Planning for the Future
While repairs were ongoing, we also continued to focus on the future of the Port Jervis Line
Need for Improved Transit Services between Orange County and Manhattan
• 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)
• Between 2000 and 2009, ridership on the Port Jervis Line increased by 18.9%
• Studies point to recapture lost ridership and ridership growth in the future
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What’s Hampering PJL Potential?
Infrastructure Constraints
• Predominately a single track railroad
• One yard at Port Jervis
• Two Seat Ride to NYC
Planning Efforts Underway to Address Infrastructure Constraints:
Port Jervis Line Capacity Improvements
– Double track from Sloatsburg to Moodna Viaduct
– Contruct yard midway along the Port Jervis Line
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BUILDING THE TWO WAY STREET
• Construct a double track from Sloatsburg to Moodna viaduct
• One Passing Siding
• Replace/Rehabilitate multiple structures
• Perform station improvements
• System improvements
• Civil work
Fill in Agency Name on Master 14
Finding A Place to Park – A Mid Point Yard In addition to the usual factors (cost and environmental impact) for an infrastructure project, we look at: • Potential for Train Mile Reductions • Ease of Operations/Maintenance • Reliability • Tangent Track
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Basic Passenger YARD Configurations
Stub Ended Yard
Double Ended Yard
Status
• Advancing conceptual work for double tracking and Mid Point Yard
• Next Steps: – Complete Port Jervis Line Capacity Improvements Analysis – Recommend preferred Mid Point Yard location
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Double Track and Mid Point Yard Benefits
• Provide more cost effective service: – More frequent peak and off-peak service – Introduce zonal, express and reverse peak services • Obtain full benefits of any potential future trans-Hudson connection • Support future transit options to Stewart Airport
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Opening New Markets The West of Hudson Regional Transit Access Study (WHRTAS)
• Completed Phase I of the Study • Analyzed various alternatives and selected a short list for further evaluation:
– Direct Bus Services to/from the south – Direct Commuter Rail from Port Jervis Line – Bus Services from Salisbury Mills Station – Bus Services connecting from the Hudson Line
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West of Hudson Regional Transit Access Study (WHRTAS)
Immediate goal: preserve 4 mile right-of way between the Salisbury Mills-Cornwall Station & Stewart Airport before further development takes place
Long term goal: future expansion of commuter rail or bus rapid transit
WHRTAS Key Project Benefits
• Transit access to/from Stewart and surrounding area
• Local economic development & smart growth opportunities
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More Project Info
Website: www.mta.info/mta/planning/whrtas
QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
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Fill in Agency Name on Master 23
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