Rail on guard: Metro-North prepares for threat of rising sea levels

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/tech/science/environment/2014/04/22/rail-on-guard-metro-north-prepares-for-threat-of-rising-sea-levels/7987279/

by d0ugie • 12 years ago

26 14 12 years ago

poughkeepsiejournal.com

Brian-Puccio2• 12 years ago

When these points fail, Metro-North — the nation's largest commuter railroad with 280,000 daily passengers — is completely cut off from Manhattan.

It's the nation's second largest when going by ridership (the number cited) to the LIRR with 334,000 passengers[0]. Both the LIRR and Metro-North are commuter rail systems for New York and are both MTA-owned/-operated, along with the subway, bus[1], etc.

The MTA is launching a $120 million project to "storm-proof" the Long Beach branch of the LIRR this year (among a myriad of other plans).[2]

[0] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_commuter_...

[1] Except out in the 'burbs, our buses got spun off and privatized somewhat recently

[2] http://www.thelirrtoday.com/2014/04/storm-proofing-long-beac...

gdubs4• 12 years ago

Amtrak also rides those rails, which I believe are a connecting point to the entire north east above New York City.

Brian-Puccio2• 12 years ago

Correct, e.g., NY <-> BOS. Amtrak also owns the tunnels under the east river that LIRR trains go through. Any problems there and the MTA likes to blame (sometimes rightfully so) Amtrak.

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=resources/traffic&...

dylz• 12 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_rapid_tra...

#1 and #2 spots differences in ridership..? Is that a typo?

Bahamut• 12 years ago

I don't think so - NYC is just that busy of a city.

gdubs4• 12 years ago

I grew up in the Hudson Valley -- this is truly one of the most beautiful stretches in the world. At points, you're essentially surrounded by the river on both sides.

I really think climate change needs to be presented to the public as an economic problem. Our infrastructure is going to continue to get hammered, costing billions, and we're essentially subsidizing it.

untog• 12 years ago

I really think climate change needs to be presented to the public as an economic problem.

Doesn't matter. If you don't think it's going to happen it doesn't matter what kind of problem it is...

gdubs4• 12 years ago

Never doubt the American Public's capacity for believing in anything that comes directly out of their paycheck.

(But, yes -- it's a remarkably difficult sell, as we've seen.)

cjensen• 12 years ago

The cost of building and maintaining a 2.5 foot wall next to the entire rail line is likely a rounding error compared to the cost of upkeep of the rail line and trains. In other words, trivial sea level rise is a non-issue economically.

To me the bigger issue is wetland loss since flood walls will likely prevent the replacement of higher-elevation wetlands.

dmm• 12 years ago

Lots and lots of wells are going to turn into saltwater in low areas. Florida is going to have a lot of trouble with this.

rlongstaff• 12 years ago

I wonder how many climate-changer denier politicans will attempt to legislate to prevent Metro-North from considering climate change in their future planning - the same way NC did that:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/north-carolina-bans-latest-science-...

Ygg2• 12 years ago

Well, you may ignore the science, but you can't ignore effects it predicts.

Rail on guard: Metro-North prepares for threat of rising sea levels

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