The Future of the Utica Ave Subway

For future expansion of the system we need to be open to thinking outside the box. How can build the Utica Ave Subway?

The new Congress Line in the median of the Congress Expressway, Chicago. 1958 Source: CERA

Build Transit Where It’s Most Effective, Not Where It’s Least Expensive

Transit planners often look for the path of least resistance but this more often than not reduces the effectiveness of transit. Transit should be built where it will be most effective not where it’s cheapest to build.

NYC Subway: Complete and Geographically Accurate Track Map

Collecting every historical map I could find, using GIS data, satellite imagery (both current and historic), YouTube videos of fan trips, my own observations looking out the window of trains through tunnels, and talking to retired track workers I was able to draw what I believe to be the most accurate track map of the NYC Subway ever.

Building a better city: QueensWay vs Subway

The abandoned Rockaway Branch rail road in central Queens is pitting transit advocates against the proposed QueensWay park. Both sides have their points and both sides want a better city. So why are they fighting against each other?

Two Myrtle Ave trains merge at Myrtle Ave, one coming from Manhattan and the other from downtown Brooklyn. Photo by Frank Pfuhler via nycsubway.org

Fixing the Myrtle-Broadway Problem

As more and more people move along the M train the limitations of the current junction at Myrtle-Broadway will soon need to be addressed. The MTA is undergoing a rebuild of the viaduct which hold the track but it will not address the bottleneck. Here’s how the MTA could do so.

The L Train Shutdown: Connecting the G and J/M/Z

Due to a quirk in history there has never been a free transfer between the G train and J/M/Z trains. With the looming L train shutdown fixing this connection would go a long way in helping mitigate the disruptions.