April 27, 2018

By Bob Diamond
Cover Photo: BHRA's PCC Streetcars at the Beard Street Pier, June, 1998
 F or w ar d
N ot e: I n 2 0 0 3, B H R A st aff w as "s e co n d e d" i nt o ot h er d uti es. A c c or di n gl y, a " pl a c e h ol d er
gr o u p" c all e d " B C S C" w as i nst all e d. T h e y w er e n' t t o o eff e cti v e. B y t h e ti m e B H R A's st aff
r et ur n e d fr o m ot h er s er vi c e, w e l e ar n e d t h e str e et c ar pr oj e ct h a d b e e n c o m pl et el y
dis b a n d e d, a n d t h at all e q ui p m e nt a n d m at eri al s h a d b e e n s ol d off. I n 2 0 1 0, a m aj or eff ort
w as m a d e b y B H R A, Br o o kl y n C o m m u nit y B o ar d 6, a n d t h e C o b bl e Hill Ass n., t o r e vi v e t h e
str e et c ar pr oj e ct. T his eff ort w as n't w ell r e c ei v e d b y t h e Cit y D O T, w hi c h pr e vi o usl y i n 2 0 0 0,
h a d q ui etl y c o m mitt e d its elf t o C N G f u el e d b us es, a n d n o el e ctri c all y p o w er e d tr a nsit
v e hi cl es w h ats o e v er. At t h at ti m e, l ar g el y d u e t o t h e pr o di gi o us l o b b yi n g eff orts of t h e n
C N G b us f u el m o g ul T. B o o n e Pi c k e ns, Cit y D O T f e lt t h at el e ctri c tr a nsit v e hi cl es w o ul d b e
" disr u pti v e" t o c ert ai n C N G b us f uel v e hi cl e f u n di n g m e c h a nis ms...

A s e p ar at e fil e of hi g h- r es ol uti o n m a ps , n e ws p a p er cli p pi n gs, a n d ot h er gr a p hi cs,

c o nt ai n e d i n t his d o c u m e nt m a y b e d o w nl o a d e d fr o m h er e:
htt ps: / /s p a c es. hi g ht ail. c o m /r e c ei v e / m y b V v o C Y v p / c m R p Y W 1 v b m R A Y n J v b 2ts e W
5 y Y Wls L m 5l d A = =

As a n hist ori c al asi d e, it is b eli e v e d t h at m u c h of t h e ori gi n al st o n e str u ct ur al w or k of t h e

1 9 t h c e nt ur y " P e n n y Bri d g e I nt er m o d al C o m pl e x" still e xists, c o n c e al e d b y t h e pr es e nt d a y
s urf a c e of w est er n M o nt a g u e Str e et, a n d t h e B Q E. P ot e nti all y, a v er y i nt er esti n g
ar c h a e ol o gi c al pr oj e ct. Pl e as e r ef er t o:

htt ps: / / w w w.s cri b d. c o m / d o c u m e nt / 3 7 2 8 9 3 9 7 8 / M o nt a g u e- Str e et- C a bl e- C ar- Br o o kl y n-

H ei g hts- W all- Str e et- F err y

E m ail ( B o b Di a m o n d): r di a m o n d @ br o o kl y nr ail. n et

W e b sit e: w w w. br o o kl y nr ail. n et

Pr oj e ct Str e a mi n g Vi d e o s:
w w w. br o o kl y nr ail. n et / str e a mi n g _ vi d e o. ht ml

T h e B H R A i s a n o n - pr ofit or g a ni z ati o n, e x e m pt fr o m t a x e s u n d er s e cti o n 5 0 1 - c - 3 of t h e I nt er n al R e v e n u e C o d e

Spotlight
BUG Backs Rail
Tunnel Expeditions
The rumors are over. Talk about the
recently rediscovered Atlantic Avenue
railroad tunnel harboring large rats and
snakes, or possibly being a "dumping
ground" for victims of Murder Inc., has
fizzled out. Two recent expeditions be­
neath Atlantic Avenue - down a man­
hole (located at the intersection of Atlan­
tic Avenue and Court Street), through a
two-foot high, 65-foot long dirt-bot­
tomed crawl space, and down a 15-foot
drop into a structurally sound, spacious
tunnel - have revealed very little aside
from some artifacts like old high-button
shoes, a variety of bottles and a "Mecca"
cigarette package.
But many mysteries still remain. Near
the end of the 1813-foot tunnel, as Brook­
lyn College Archaeologist Ira Berman
points out, is a large stone wall that may
have been built sometime after the tunnel
was sealed in 1861, and from city records,
it's suspected that the tunnel extends for
about another 100 feet beyond the wall.
"Maybe an old steam locomotive is be­
hind the wall. We won't know until a sci­
entifically con trolled archaeological
excavation takes place," he says. A Brook­
lyn seaman claims that he and other chil­
dren used to play on the locomotive some
40 years ago, in a portion of the tunnel
that would be behind the stone wall. Sup­
posedly, the children gained access
through an opening in an Atlantic Ave­
nue house cellar.
But empty tunnel or not, some people
are pleased with just the rediscovery of
the tunnel. "It really doesn't matter," says
Robert Diamond, a City College student
who "rediscovered " the tunnel two years
ago by tracking down the original blue­
prints. "The tunnel itself is a great artifact
- the first subway tunnel in the country,
and maybe the world." The tunnel was
built, according to records, in 1844.
But aside from being a major archaeo­
logical find, local community groups see
September 25, 1981
possibilities in the tunnel. Now there's
talk about the tunnel being transformed
into a below-street level traffic thru-way,
or a shopping area.
Whatever the future holds for the tun­
nel, one thing is certain. The archaeologi­
cal find would not have occurred had it
not been for several concerned individu­
als. Mr. Diamond, who gets credit for the
rediscovery, is a former SEER winner
who turned to BUG to help him gain ·ac­
cess into the tunnel. Ted Spar, Manager,
Distribution, Tom Gorman, Project
Coordinator, Distribution, and Vincent
Morales, Chemist, Gas Operations, were
the first individuals to enter the tunnel
several months ago. They confirmed the
safety of the atmosphere in the tunnel,
and provided lights, a ventilation hose
and test equipment to monitor the at­
mosphere throughout the tunnel. These
B.U. people also handled the physical
work of excavating much of the crawl
space around a wall that separates the
crawl space from the main tunnel. The
second expedition also led by Ted Spar,
was organized by Mark Siebers, Director
of Consumer Services, Public Relations &
Photo left, B. U. employees, I to r, Fabian Rivera,
Kevin Engel and Lou Donaldson, and Archaeologist
!ra _Berman and Laurie Peek of Brooklyn Press,
inside 1813-foot tunnel. Above, Jim Vansickle of
Cha'!nel 4 News in 65-foot crawl space. Below,
B. U. s Ted Spar steadies ladder for crew member.
Communications. Several PR&C em­
ployees, namely Photographer Ted Beck,
Video Supervisor Kevin Engel, Lou
Donaldson, Sendout's Assistant Editor,
and Communtiy Affairs Representative
Fabian Rivera, were part of the expedi­
tion team. Kevin Engel videotaped the
event and provided Jim VanSickle of
Channel 4 News a tape for that evening's
news broadcast.
According to Mark Siebers, "Brooklyn
Union responded to this project to pur­
sue a legitimate community inquiry into
its past. Some community leaders indicate
that they will work to have the tunnel
placed on the National Register of Histor­
ical Places, thereby making it eligible for
funds to restore it."
5
 T o p of F o r m

B ott o m of F o r m

Tr ai n b uff’ s dr e a m s str e et c ar
d e sir e will b e c o m e r e alit y
B Y N A T A LI E M U S U M E CI
T h e Br o o kl y n P a p er

P h ot o b y Eli z a b et h Gr a h a m

N e w p u s h: R a y H o w ell of t h e G o w a n u s C a n al C o m m u nit y D e v el o p m e n t C or p or a ti o n h a s t e a m e d u p wit h tr oll e y-

b a c ki n g l e g e n d B o b Di a m o n d t o r e vi v e Di a m o n d ’ s l o n g - e n vi si o n e d pl a n t o bri n g str e e t c ar s t o Br o o kl y n.

Si mil ar st ori es
C O L U M BI A ST W A T E R F R O N T : T u n n el vi si o n! R ail w a y l e g e n d, B o b Di a m o n d, s u e s cit y o v er tr o ll e y s
C O B BL E H I L L: Di a m o n d w o n ’t cr a c k! R ail w a y e x pl or er fi g h t s e vi c ti o n fr o m t u n n el h e di s c o v er e d
A tr a nsit b uff’s q ui x oti c t w o- d e c a d e-l o n g q u est t o c o n n e ct tr a n sit-str a p p e d R e d H o o k t o
D o w nt o w n b y tr oll e y is r e all y g oi n g t o h a p p e n t his ti m e, t h e r ail w a y-l o vi n g l e g e n d cl ai m e d this
w e e k.

B o b Di a m o n d, t h e fr ustr at e d str e et c ar a d v o c at e, w h o h as f ail e d t o bri n g tr oll e ys t o t h e tr a nsit

d es ert m or e ti m e t h e n w e w o ul d li k e t o r e m e m b er, s ai d his l o n gti m e dr e a m of a Br o o kl y n b ustli n g
wit h tr oll e ys will fi n all y c o m e tr u e b e c a us e t his ti m e h e’s p ar t n er e d wit h c o n cr et e tit a n J o h n
Q u a dr o z zi Jr. of G o w a n us B a y T er mi n al, a n d t h e G o w a n us C a n al C o m m u nit y D e v el o p m e nt C or p.

“I r e ali z e d n o w t h at n o m a n is a n isl a n d u nt o hi ms elf a n d t h at t h er e h as t o b e a n u m b er of

or g a ni z ati o ns t o m a k e t his h a p p e n, ” s ai d Di a m o n d, pr esi d e nt of t h e Br o o kl y n Hist ori c R ail w a y
Ass o ci ati o n. “I nst e a d of B o b Di a m o n d tr yi n g t o d o it al o n e, n o w I’ m b uil di n g a gr assr o ots
c o ns orti u m of ot h er or g a ni z ati o ns w h os e n ei g h b or h o o ds w o ul d b e n efit fr o m t h e i m pl e m e nt ati o n
of t h e str e et c ar pr oj e ct. ”

T h e G o w a n us C a n al C o m m u nit y D e v el o p m e nt C or p., will n o w t a k e o n t h e r ol e of p oliti c al a n d

p u bli c o utr e a c h f or Di a m o n d, w hil e Q u a dr o z zi h as h el p e d t h e r e d esi g n a n d e nl ar g e his tr a c k
r o ut e li n ki n g D o w nt o w n a n d t h e p e ni ns ul a.

Di a m o n d esti m at es t h at t h e i m pl e m e nt ati o n of t h e t w o-tr a c k str e et c ar pr oj e ct al o n g wit h t h e

e x c a v ati o n of t h e ol d r ail t u n n el u n d er Atl a nti c A v e n u e h e f a m o usl y dis c o v er e d i n t h e 1 9 8 0s
w o ul d c ost $ 5 0 milli o n, a n d h e will b e s e e ki n g t h at m o n e y t hr o u g h f e d er al gr a nts.

A n d Q u a dr o z zi c a n’t w ait t o g et it d o n e.

“It’s a bs ol ut el y n e c ess ar y a n d d esir a bl e, ” s ai d Q u a dr o z zi, w h o h as f oll o w e d Di a m o n d’s eff orts

d uri n g t h e p ast d e c a d e.

T h e c o n cr et e tit a n s ai d t h e pl a n m a k es a l ot of s e ns e c o nsi d eri n g Br o o kl y n’s hist or y wit h tr oll e y’s

ar o u n d t h e t ur n of t h e 2 0t h c e nt ur y, a n d wit h t h e li mit e d a c c ess t o R e d H o o k.

“ T hi s w o ul d b e t h e b est w a y t o d o it, ” h e s ai d.

R a y H o w ell, a m e m b er of t h e G o w a n us C a n al C o m m u nit y D e v el o p m e nt C or p., s ai d it j u m p e d o n

b o ar d aft er c o nsi d eri n g t h e e c o n o mi c b e n efit Br o o kl y n’s o nl y tr oll e y w o ul d bri n g t o t h e H o o k.

“ M ostl y e v er y b o d y b eli e v es t h at R e d H o o k n e e ds tr a ns p ort ati o n i m pr o v e m e nts i n or d er t o

d e v el o p i n a h e alt h y w a y, ” s ai d H o w ell.

Di a m o n d h as tri e d t o cr e at e a tr oll e y s er vi c e n u m er o us ti m es si n c e 1 9 8 9, b ut e a c h ti m e h e cl ai ms
h e w as h a m p er e d b y t h e cit y, a n d b y a c c us ati o ns t h at h e is diffi c ult t o w or k wit h. H e s u c c essf ull y
l ai d tr a c ks i n 1 9 9 9 f or a li n e i n R e d H o o k t h e n, o nl y t o s e e his dr e a ms cr u m bl e aft er t h e cit y c ut off
f u n di n g f or a l ar g er n et w or k of r ails. T h e n, i n 2 0 1 1, t h e D e p art m e nt of Tr a ns p ort ati o n s ai d t h at
bri n gi n g b a c k t h e ol d str e et c ars w o ul d b e t o o e x p e nsi v e .

Di a m o n d s a ys t h e r o ut e f or t h e pr o p os e d str e et c ar li n e w o ul d b e 1. 6 mil es st arti n g n e ar F ult o n

a n d Li vi n gst o n str e ets b y t h e B or o u g h H all s u b w a y h u b. It w o ul d tr e k d o w n B o er u m Pl a c e a n d t ur n
o nt o Atl a nti c A v e n u e. At t h at p oi nt, Di a m o n d w a nts t h e li n e t o m o v e u n d er gr o u n d t o w ar ds
C ol u m bi a Str e et t hr o u g h t h e L o n g Isl a n d R ail R o a d t u n n el t h at r u ns fr o m C o urt Str e et t o Hi c ks
Str e et.

T h e tr oll e y w o ul d e xit t h e Atl a nti c A v e n u e t u n n el w h e n it r e a c h es t h e B att er y T u n n el o n C ol u m bi a

Str e et. At t h at p oi nt, it w o ul d t ur n d o w n Ri c h ar ds Str e et, tr a v el al o n g B e ar d Str e et p assi n g I K E A,
t ur n b a c k o nt o C ol u m bi a Str e et, r u n al o n g B a y Str e et, a n d t ur n o nt o Cli nt o n Str e et u ntil hitti n g
H a milt o n A v e n u e w h er e it w o ul d tr a v el al o n g W. Ni nt h Str e et ri g ht u p u ntil its e n di n g p oi nt at t h e
S mit h- Ni nt h s u b w a y h u b.

Ar m e d wit h his n e w c o aliti o n, Di a m o n d t hi n gs h e’ll b e r e a d y t o s e e k cit y s u p p ort aft er a n e w

m a y or is el e ct e d.

“ W e h a v e a gr e at c h a n c e of m a ki n g t his h a p p e n wit h a n e w a d mi nistr ati o n, ” h e s ai d. “I t hi n k

R e d H o o k will fi n all y g et t h e p u bli c tr a ns p ort ati o n it d es er v es . ”

R e a c h r e p ort er N at ali e M us u m e ci at n m us u m e ci @ c n gl o c al. c o m or b y c alli n g ( 7 1 8) 2 6 0- 4 5 0 5.

F oll o w h er at t witt er. c o m /s o ul e d d o ut.
Mayor blasts Daily News report on streetcar
plan's blurry outlook
BY JILLIAN JORGENSEN
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Updated: Saturday, April 7, 2018, 12:04 AM

A mock-up design of the new streetcar planned to span from Brooklyn to Queens. (TODD MAISEL/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)

Mayor de Blasio had a Trump-worthy tantrum over “fake news” on Friday.

Hizzoner blew his stack during his weekly radio appearance — lashing out at the Daily News for its reporting on the shaky
funding for his pricey waterfront streetcar.
It was straight out of the playbook of President Trump — who also derides media outlets when they print facts he doesn’t
like.
The News reported Tuesday on remarks from Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, who said the proposed Brooklyn-Queens streetcar,
dubbed the BQX, could be shelved if studies show it won’t be able to pay for itself by spurring new developments and
property tax revenue. 
“Assuming that it does not pay for itself ... then we have to decide whether or not this is the right use of capital money for a
transportation project,” Glen said after her talk at NYU Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management.
But de Blasio on Friday ripped The News for reporting Glen’s comments.
“This is an instance where a real disservice has been done by the media, specifically the Daily News, in taking comments that
presented no change in our position whatsoever and trying to reflect something that’s entirely different,” he fumed.
“I don’t understand how a journalist does that. I don’t understand how a journalist goes out of their way to misrepresent the
facts, and I’ve seen it way too often lately at the Daily News.”
The hissy fit was just the mayor’s latest assault on New York’s hometown newspaper for accurately reporting stories he
doesn’t like — such as The News’ exposé of a lawsuit against his new Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza.
De Blasio insisted that Carranza wasn’t involved in a sexual discrimination lawsuit filed by a California teacher — despite
explicit allegations in the suit that Carranza created a hostile environment in the school district where he was
superintendent.

“I don’t understand how a journalist does that," Mayor de Blasio told Brian Lehrer. "I don’t understand how a journalist
goes out of their way to misrepresent the facts, and I’ve seen it way too often lately at the Daily News.” (BARRY
WILLIAMS/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)
Despite the mayor’s irritation with The News’ reporting, de Blasio didn’t point to anything specific in the BQX story that was
inaccurate.
And City Hall has been wary of the self-financing plan for the BQX for at least a year. The News reported on an internal
memo in 2017 that outlined the astronomical costs of moving underground utilities and the possibility that tax dollars from
higher real estate values may not provide “sufficient revenue to fund the entire project as originally stated.”
KPMG was hired by the city to figure out the financing. Its audit was supposed to be done last year — but still isn’t finished.
De Blasio continued to defend the BQX Friday, saying Glen was just discussing “the complexities of a major undertaking like
this one” but insisting it would be “very, very valuable” for the city.
The mayor didn’t reveal what the city would do if the self-funding tax revenue didn’t pan out. But he did say the project will
require federal funding no matter what.
“It’s a big complicated endeavor, and it’s certainly going to require some federal support as well, which is something I’m very
hopeful about particularly because of the presence of Sen. (Chuck) Schumer in the Senate and the role he plays,” de Blasio
said.
Schumer’s daughter, Jessica Schumer, is executive director of the Friends of the BQX. The organization declined to comment.
The mayor rolled out his plans for the streetcar in February 2016. The city has yet to even decide on an exact route.
In response to a series of questions about the long-delayed project, the mayor’s office sent a two-sentence statement that
suggested federal funding might not be required after all.

The mayor rolled out his plans for the streetcar in February 2016. The city has yet to even decide on an exact route. (AP)

“The mayor calls it as he sees it, and what he sees is that the BQX can bring jobs and a brand new, green transportation
system to growing and transit-hungry Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods,” spokeswoman Melissa Grace said. “With a
block-by-block study, we’ll determine the best way forward — including if federal or other public funds are needed.”
Jon Orcutt of the Transit Center said that a project the size and scope of the BQX requires the city to be out actively
discussing the project with advocates and communities — something he said he simply hasn’t seen.
“It’s really bizarre,” Orcutt said of the mayor’s response to the BQX story. “We haven’t heard a thing about the project for a
year, and the last thing we heard was an internal memo that came out, that you guys reported, that said the thing was
basically unbuildable and would not pay for itself.”
If it can’t pay for itself, Orcutt said, using federal or city money would be a tough sell — because those billions of dollars
could be better spent bolstering subways or bus service, which he noted dropped by 6% in 2017. The proposed corridor for
the BQX has low bus ridership as it is — an MTA bus along the Williamsburg waterfront launched in 2010 gets fewer than
1,000 riders a day, he said.
“People want to go to Manhattan. They’re not going up and down the waterfront,” Orcutt explained.
As The News has previously reported, the BQX served as a “money train” for de Blasio — developers with projects along the
route flooded his favorite causes with cash.
De Blasio has long insisted the project wouldn’t just be an amenity for luxury high rises along the water, but a viable option
for 40,000 NYCHA residents in the area. But a ride on the BQX won’t come with a free transfer to the MTA’s subways or buses
to get people beyond the waterfront and critics have argued that low-income won’t be able to afford two fares.
Tom Agnotti, a professor of urban policy and planning at Hunter College and BQX critic, has argued in the past that the
trolley will hasten gentrification, since its entire premise is based on raising the value of property along its route.
Asked Friday if he had a moment to discuss the BQX, Agnotti cracked: “Does anybody believe in that anymore?” 

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privacy policy

© 2016 New York Daily News

 To Receive Pres. Trump's
Discretionary
federal "Seed Money"
(20% - 25% of project cost) the BQX Must be

"Privatized" - a City Issued Design/Build/Operate

Franchise to a Private Entity, with the Project

Overseen by the City

 Robert: They all continue to
miss the point...
No transit line, except possibly the San Diego-
Tijuana light rail, covers its operating cost.

Like the extension of the #7, the additional real

estate taxes (taken over 30 years) from the
currently-unused allowable floor area (without
rezoning) if built in the territory served by the BQX
will more than pay for debt service on the bonds
issued to cover the capital cost of the line.

ALEX
 RETURN ON CAPITAL INVESTMENT

Source:
http://www.heritagetrolley.org/planFinancingCapital.htm
NYCT Bus Speeds
Weekdays 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Speed (mph)
0 - 2.00
2.01 - 4.00
4.01 - 6.00
6.01 - 8.00
8.01 - 10.00
10.01 +

17
17
T R A N S I T L A N E S & T R A N S I T WAYS
Center Transit Lane
Center transit lanes are typically
used on major routes with frequent
headways, and where traffic
congestion may significantly affect
reliability. They also reduce the
chance of conflicts with parked
vehicles. Center transit lanes can
play a key role in creating high-quality
transit service. While traditionally
found on streetcar streets, center
transit lanes can be used with buses
as well.
With left turn restrictions and minimal
separation, center transit lanes can be
effectively converted to transitways.
118
2
1
4
Center transit lane s may b e w ider to reduce fric tion and risk of side s wip e cra she s
APPLICATION
Dedicated center transit lanes are highly
applicable to center-running streetcars
and light rail lines, including both new
and existing rail lines.
Center transit lanes can be applied as
part of the implementation of a BRT line
or other bus improvements, on any bus
routes with suitable stations.
Center transit lanes can be applied to
both bus and rail lines where traffic
congestion affects reliability, and are
often more effective than right-side
lanes.
BENEFITS
Center-running lanes serve buses
and streetcars at potentially very high
capacity and volume, while improving
the pedestrian and passenger
experience of the street.
Center transit lanes eliminate conflicts
with drop-offs, deliveries, or illegal
parking along the roadway edge, as
well as with bicyclists and some turning
movements. Combined with left turn
restrictions or leading transit intervals,
and all-door boarding, center transit
lanes address a wide variety of sources
of transit delay.
Center transit lanes can have an impact
similar to that of a transitway, but does
not require as much investment, time, or
space to implement.
Existing center-running streetcar routes
can achieve safety and travel time
benefits from dedicated infrastructure.
Complementary treatments include
stop consolidation, all-door boarding,
and transit signal priority.

CONSIDERATIONS
Intersections require turning provisions
to avoid conflicts with the through
movements of transit vehicles. A
combination of self-enforcing design
and enforcement, ideally automated, is
necessary to ensure the effectiveness of
dedicated center bus lanes.
Stops for center lanes may need more
street space than curbside lanes, since
boarding islands must be placed in the
street. Generally a minimum width of
28 feet is needed for transit lanes and
stations at stop locations, and 22–24
feet in other sections.
Platform configuration must be
compatible with transit vehicle
characteristics—left-side boarding
buses may be more expensive to
procure.
Center platforms may reduce overall
space occupied by stations, though
side-boarding islands can have space
benefits when stations are split across
an intersection.
Right-boarding BRT stations allow the
use of typical rolling stock, which often
run on streets without dedicated lanes
at the beginning or ends of their routes.
CRITICAL
Solid white lines or double white
1
lines must be striped along the
right side of the transit lane, along with
BUS ONLY or LRT ONLY pavement
markings (MUTCD 3D-01).
Boarding islands must be used for most
transit vehicle types to create accessible
boarding conditions.
TRANSIT L ANES
If additional space is available, a
RECOMMENDED
buffer should be marked or vertical
delineation placed between the bus
Center-running lanes should be
2 lane and the adjacent mixed-traffic lane
designated using red/terra cotta
to provide additional clearance and
color to emphasize the lane and deter
permit eventual construction of vertical
drivers from entering it.
elements.
A center bus or streetcar lane should be
11–12 feet wide when placed adjacent to OPTIONAL
an opposing transit lane.
Separation with soft (e.g. rumble strips)
To avoid conflicts with center- or hard (e.g. concrete curbs) barriers may
3
running transit vehicles, left turns be used to reduce encroachment from
should be prohibited, or accommodated general traffic. Install reflective vertical
using left-turn lanes and dedicated elements to enhance visibility at night.
signal phases. Left turns from the center
bus lane add significant safety and The mixed-traffic lane may transition
operational issues for high-frequency to the right before a stop and to the left
bus service, but left turns may be after a stop, creating room for parking
permitted at times of day with longer and a turn lane.
headways.
Complement center transit lanes with
Designs should anticipate transit all-door boarding and related fare
vehicles operating at 25 mph, with collection strategies, as well as transit
higher design speeds only if local signal strategies.
speed limits permit them. Curves may
be regulated for much lower speeds,
typically 10–15 mph, permitting vehicles
to proceed safely within the same lane
width as provided on straight sections of
the bus lane. However, it is desirable for
horizontal transitions of the transit lane
to be designed with gradual transitions,
consistent with general operating
speeds on the corridor.
Church St., SAN FRANCISCO, CA
119

CRITICAL
Platform must be aligned to streetcar
tracks with appropriate lateral clearance
for level boarding. Stops for rail vehicles
may require a 9-foot moving lane next
to the island, or other track or lane
realignment to bring vehicles close to
the platform.
Center island platforms must be either
level or near-level boarding. 24-inch
wide detectable warning strips should
be placed along the entire boarding
edge of the platform to indicate vehicle
position.
Detectable warning strips must be
placed on both sides of every flush
pedestrian crossing.
Platform access ramp may have a
1 locations in the roadway, especially
maximum slope of 1:12 at a
crosswalk or other crossing point, at the
sidewalk and onto the platform (ADA
Std. 405.2, 810.2.2).
S T O P CO N FI G U R AT I O N S
An accessible boarding area, typically
RECOMMENDED
8 feet wide by 5 feet long, must be
provided to permit boarding maneuvers
Railings shall be installed along the
by a person using a wheelchair (ADA
through lane to the right of the island
Std. 810.2.2) (see page 67), generally
to control pedestrian access and
requiring islands to be at minimum 8
discourage dangerous crossings.
feet wide. Islands with railings along
Channelize pedestrian movements
the rear side will require an extra foot of
to platform entrances with enhanced
space, making the total width 9 feet.
crossing treatments. Railings must
not impede accessible width, usually
Reflective signage or other visible
2 extending the island width to at least 9
raised element on the leading
feet.
corner (back left corner) of the island.
KEEP LEFT or KEEP RIGHT (MUTCD
For center-boarding islands serving both
R4-8) or object marker (OM-3) signs
bus and rail, near-level height (8–12
may be used.
inches) is preferred, as buses are not
typically able to access 14-inch level
Ensure that pedestrian refuge islands
boarding heights.
crossing transitways are wide enough
to allow groups of people to wait,
At intersections, install refuge
particularly near stations. Discourage 3
island tips at least 6 feet wide to
pedestrians from waiting in unsafe
provide pedestrians protection in the
crosswalk.
near railways. Where spacing between
parallel tracks provides no clear zone
between passing LRVs, clearly indicate
OPTIONAL
the danger area and discourage
pedestrians from waiting in this area.
4 Boarding island extensions can be
used for green infrastructure,
including rain gardens and other
stormwater retention facilities.
83

DISCUSSION
On busy urban streets, transit lanes are
the building blocks to provide reliable
and robust transit service. Continuous
running ways yield the greatest benefit
to transit operations, and can often be
implemented with little impact, or even
positive impact, on general traffic flow.
Transit lanes are implemented by
repurposing general traffic lanes
or parking lanes and are usually
implemented on streets that also
accommodate private motor vehicles in
at least one direction.
Transit lanes are flexible. They can be
dedicated at all times, or only during
peak times or daylight hours. Full-time
lanes better serve transit performance
and visibility, but peak-period lanes may
be appropriate in specific contexts.
APPLICATION
Transit lanes are broadly applicable on
downtown and corridor streets where
transit is delayed by congestion and
curbside activities.
E xample of s treet w ith center transit lane s and in-s treet island s top
Streets with high motor vehicle traffic
volume and congestion are good
candidates for dedicated lanes, which
organize traffic flow and improve
on-time performance and transit
efficiency.
Smaller streets may be converted to
transit-priority or other shared transit
streets.
CONSIDERATIONS
The decision to dedicate a lane to
transit on a multilane street should be
based on a combination of factors, with
special emphasis on transit volume and
demand, including future demand, and
the potential to reduce total person
delay or to limit increases to average
travel time over both short and long
term analysis periods.
While motor vehicle traffic capacity or
travel time is one of many supporting
considerations, dedicating lanes to
transit should not be ruled out on the
basis of any single factor. Vehicle level
of service is not an acceptable planning
factor when viewed in isolation, and its
use should be limited to understanding
queue lengths and other changes with
potential network impacts.
TRANSIT L ANES
Transit Lanes
It is essential to manage turns
across transit facilities, sometimes
accommodating turns in ways that
reduce transit delays, and sometimes
prohibiting them or otherwise managing
their impacts. As on other multi-lane
urban streets, turning movements
typically involve conflicts with people
walking and biking and with other traffic
flows, and require special consideration.
Transit travel time variability and
reliability over the day are a good
indicator of the potential benefits of
transit lanes, especially if boardings are
consistent throughout.
Markings, signage, and enforcement
maintain the integrity of transit lanes.
Automated electronic enforcement,
including license-plate readers or video,
is preferable to labor-intensive patrols.
111
 "Silenced" Streetcar Track

Source:
Famous First Facts, by Joseph Nathan Kane, 1964, p578
"The rapidly growing megacity of
Shenzhen, China [pop. 12.5 million], was
choked with diesel pollution in the early
2010s.

Though buses were just 0.5

percent of the city’s vehicles,
they were responsible for 20
percent of the air pollution."
Source: www.Vox.com/energy-and-environment/,
April 17, 2018
J ul y 6, 2 0 1 7 [ C o m m u nit y I n p ut R e c ei v e d at Br o o kl y n C B 8 X n C mt e, J u n e 2 7 2 0 1 7 ]
h el ps s
"PCC" Streetcar, U.S. Manufactured, Circa 1936- 1951
"100%" Low Floor Modern Streetcar
 NOTE: Rail Vehicle MUST be Able to
Negotiate 36 Foot (11m) Radius Curves
St u N o b o d y C ar e s A b o ut
A n ot s o r a n d o m c oll e cti o n of o b s e r v ati o n s a b o ut t hi n g s y o u s h o ul d c a r e a b o ut

W h e n T h e N e w Y o r k Cit y S u b w a y O p e n e d O n
O ct o b e r 2 7, 1 9 0 4
2 0 C o ol F a c t s A b o u t T h e N e w Y o r k Ci t y S u b w a y W h e n I t W a s B r a n d N e w

1 0 9 y e a r s a g o o n O ct o b e r 2 7, 1 9 0 4, t h e N e w Y o r k Cit y
S u b w a y w a s o p e n e d t o a n e nt h u si a sti c p u bli c wit h g r e at
f a nf a r e a n d a c c ol a d e s.

N e w Y o r k e r’ s w e r e p r o u d of t hi s e n gi n e e ri n g s e n s ati o n
a n d it s f e at u r e s w e r e hi g hli g ht e d i n n e w s p a p e r s a n d
m a g a zi n e s a r o u n d t h e w o rl d.

O n t h e o c c a si o n of t h e o p e ni n g, t h e N e w Y or k E v e ni n g
“ W h at T h e S u b w a y M e a n s T o N e w Y or k” N e w Y or k E v e ni n g
W orl d p u bli s h e d a “ S u b w a y S o u v e ni r S p e ci al” t o
W orl d O ct o b er 2 7, 1 9 0 4 ( cli c k t o e nl ar g e)
c o m m e m o r at e t h e e v e nt. Wit h a rti cl e s d e s c ri bi n g m a n y
a s p e ct s of t h e s u b w a y, t h e s p e ci al i s s u e c o m pil e d a li st
of 1 0 0 f a ct s a b o ut t h e s u b w a y. H e r e a r e s o m e of t h e
b ett e r o n e s:

1. I n 1 8 9 4 t h e p e o pl e of N e w Y o r k v ot e d t o c r e at e a t u n n el f o r a s u b w a y w hi c h w a s t o b e o w n e d b y t h e
cit y. Aft e r si x y e a r s of p r eli mi n a r y w o r k b y t h e R a pi d T r a n sit C o m mi s si o n, bi d s w e r e a c c e pt e d t o b uil d a n d
o p e r at e t h e s u b w a y o n N o v e m b e r 1 5, 1 8 9 9.

2. O nl y t w o c o m p a ni e s bi d f o r t h e j o b. J o h n B. M c D o n al d a n d t h e O n d e r d o n k C o n st r u cti o n C o m p a n y.
M c D o n al d’ s bi d w a s a c c e pt e d J a n u a r y 1 5, 1 9 0 0.

3. M c D o n al d p r o p o s e d t o c o n st r u ct t h e t u n n el s f o r $ 3 5 milli o n wit h a n a d diti o n al $ 2, 7 5 0, 0 0 0 f o r st ati o n

sit e s, t e r mi n al s a n d ot h e r i n ci d e nt al s.

4. T h e m o n e y f o r t h e c o n st r u cti o n w a s l o a n e d b y t h e cit y. It w a s t o b e p ai d b a c k wit h i nt e r e st i n ft y y e a r s.

5. M c D o n al d o r g a ni z e d a c o n st r u cti o n c o m p a n y wit h A u g u st B el m o nt a s it s p r e si d e nt. A n ot h e r c o m p a n y

wit hi n t hi s c o m p a n y, t h e I nt e r b o r o u g h R a pi d T r a n sit C o m p a n y (I R T) w a s o r g a ni z e d t o o p e r at e t h e s u b w a y.
 6. T h e I R T h a d t h e p ri vil e g e of o p e r ati n g t h e s y st e m f o r 5 0 y e a r s, wit h a n o pti o n f o r a 2 5 y e a r r e n e w al.
W h e n t h e s u b w a y p a s s e d i nt o t h e h a n d s of t h e p e o pl e, t h e e q ui p m e nt w a s t o b e p u r c h a s e d b y t h e cit y at
a v al u ati o n t o b e d et e r mi n e d b y a r bit r ati o n.

7. M c D o n al d s u bl et t h e c o n st r u cti o n t o t hi rt e e n s u b- c o nt r a ct o r s. G r o u n d w a s b r o k e n M a r c h 2 5, 1 9 0 0 i n
f r o nt of Cit y H all.

8. M c D o n al d pl e d g e d t o h a v e t h e s u b w a y r e a d y i n f o u r a n d a h alf y e a r s. T h e a ct u al ti m e s p e nt o n
c o n st r u cti o n w a s o nl y 1 2 7 5 d a y s.

9. T h e n al a m o u nt s p e nt w a s j u st $ 4 0 milli o n.

1 0. T h e r e w e r e 1 2 0 li v e s l o st d u ri n g t h e c o n st r u cti o n.

1 1. T h e a v e r a g e n u m b e r of m e n e m pl o y e d p e r d a y w a s
4, 6 6 1.

1 2. T h e g r e at e st n u m b e r of w o r k e r s d u ri n g t h e
c o n st r u cti o n i n a si n gl e d a y n u m b e r e d 1 2, 0 0 0.

1 3. M e a s u r e d b y m e n e m pl o y e d, t h e n u m b e r of
U ni o n S q u ar e J u n e 8, 1 9 0 1 S u b w a y C o n str u cti o n
w o r ki n g d a y s w a s 5, 9 4 3, 9 1 7.

1 4. T h e s u b w a y i niti all y w a s l ai d o ut f r o m Cit y H all t o

Ki n g s b ri d g e, o n t h e W e st Si d e li n e, a t ot al of 1 3. 5 0 mil e s. T h e E a st Si d e li n e w o ul d g o f r o m B r o a d w a y a n d
1 0 3 r d St r e et t o B r o n x P a r k a t ot al of 6. 9 7 mil e s, m a ki n g t h e t ot al s y st e m j u st 2 0. 4 7 mil e s l o n g.

1 5. T h e r e w e r e 4 8 st ati o n s o n t h e e nti r e s y st e m, 3 3 u n d e r g r o u n d, 1 1 o n vi a d u ct s, t h r e e p a rtl y o n t h e

s u rf a c e a n d p a rtl y u n d e r g r o u n d a n d o n e p a rtl y o n t h e s u rf a c e a n d p a rtl y o n a vi a d u ct.

1 6. W h e n t h e s u b w a y i niti all y o p e n e d, 2 8 st ati o n s w e r e o p e r ati o n al.

1 7. T h e st a rti n g g ait s p e e d of t h e t r ai n s w o ul d b e t w e nt y- v e mil e s a n h o u r f o r e x p r e s s t r ai n s a n d ft e e n

mil e s a n h o u r f o r l o c al t r ai n s. T h e m a xi m u m s p e e d of t h e e x p r e s s t r ai n s w o ul d b e f o rt y- v e mil e s a n h o u r.

1 8. I n t h e r u s h h o u r s, b et w e e n 7 a n d 1 0 a. m. a n d 4 t o 7 p. m., e x p r e s s t r ai n s w o ul d r u n f o u r mi n ut e s a p a rt
a n d l o c al t r ai n s t h r e e mi n ut e s a p a rt.

1 9. 4 0 0 s u b w a y c a r s i niti all y s e r v e d t h e e nti r e s y st e m. 5 0 0 c a r s w e r e o r d e r e d b ut t h e y w e r e n ot all r e a d y

w h e n t h e s u b w a y o p e n e d.

2 0. M c D o n al d e sti m at e d t h at w h e n t h e s u b w a y w a s f ull y f u n cti o n al it c o ul d c a r r y 2 0 0 milli o n p e o pl e p e r

y e a r.
O t h e r S t o ri e s Y o u M a y B e I n t e r e s t e d I n:

T h e 1 9 0 4 G e n e r al Sl o c u m
W h e n R e nt C o st $ 1 0 P e r W e e k Di s a st e r H a d S u r vi v o r s T h at N e w Y o r k’ s P r o bl e m s A n d W h y
I n N e w Y o r k Cit y Li v e d I nt o T h e 2 1 st C e nt u r y It F o r c e d O n e E dit o r T o L e a v e

T hi s e nt r y w a s p o st e d i n Hi st o r y, N e w Y o r k a n d t a g g e d 1 9 0 0 s, C o n st r u cti o n, I R T, N e w Y o r k Hi st o r y, N e w Y o r k
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