NEW YORK — Work will begin Aug. 16 on a significant upgrade of the New York City Transit’s 42nd Street Shuttle, the short but heavily used connection between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced plans Friday for work on the shuttle, which needs just 90 seconds to cover its 2,400-foot route and dates to the opening of the city’s first subway line in 1904.
The current three-track operation will be consolidated to two tracks with a central boarding platform at each end, new signals, and an upgraded electrical system. Trains will be increased from four to six cars.
At Times Square, the terminal will be made fully compliant with the American With Disabilities Act, with a wider platform. The curve at the terminal will be eliminated; straightening the track will eliminate large platform gaps and make the shuttle fully accessible for mobility-impaired customers. A new station entrance and new turnstile area will be added, along with upgrades including new walls, paint, lighting, and signage. At Grand Central Station, a new staircase will be added to allow faster access to and from the platform.
Work will be conducted in phases to minimize service disruptions. The project is expected to be complete in 2022.
The layout at the Times Sq. end has been a puzzle compared with the logical one at Grand Central. Perhaps someone with historical knowledge can comment.
I wish they were leaving it at three tracks so one train can be in each station and one train in transit during heavy times of operation. I predict the platforms will get crazy crowded.
I think that you’re right, Andrew. It’s possible that people will go to the IRT #7 Flushing Line which will cause even more crowding on the stations and trains especially during the rush hours.
HEY KIDS – Listen up! Here’s how it is:
The rail station is Grand Central TERMINAL. Always was, is now.
The subway station is Grand Central STATION. Always was, is now.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
The MTA can’t be bothered with historical/linguistic subtleties. It is Grand Central period.
Stan Schelhorn – this article is correct. The New York Central is Grand Central Terminal. The subway has always been Grand Central Station at that location.
Please, please, can you refer to Grand Central with it’s proper name – Grand Central Terminal? I can accept Hollywood and the mainstream media getting it wrong, But Trains?