In preparation for Hurricane Irene, the MTA is shutting down buses, subways, and commuter rail in the New York City metro area. Transit operated till noon on August 27, then will begin the 8-hour process to store the vehicles and prepare for Irene.
The entire transit system will close for the weekend in preparation for the hurricane - no easy task. More difficult will be restarting the system as damage, included possible washed away Long Island Rail Road tracks on some branches, will have to be surveyed.
"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said this process would take at least eight hours." The shut-down includes both Metro North and LIRR commuter trains.
"Restarting the system might take even longer.
About 200 subway trains are usually stored in outdoor yards, some of which, like those in the Rockaways, may flood. These trains will be stored underground in tunnels across the city, making it impossible for the agency to provide regular service on those routes
A major concern in the subway is flooding, particularly in open-trench tracks in Brooklyn and the low-lying stations in Lower Manhattan. Train signal systems can also short-circuit in a flood."
Meanwhile, the City itself is shutting down because on the hurricane.
Read the full story: Stopping Trains, to Store Them Safely
Mamdani Budget Funds Queensway, Dimming Hope for Reactivated Long Island Rail
Supporters of a proposed rail extension say building the elevated park as proposed would make it harder to bring trains back to this part of Queens.
Unlocking the full potential of NYC's Interborough Express
A few strategic investments could turn the IBX into an essential spine of the regional transportation network, not just another branch of New York's subway system.
MTA plans to outfit all buses with stroller storage by next year
All buses will have seats that flip up to allow for stroller storage or more standing room.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet
Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.
Pittsburg launches 'EZ permits,' aims for one-day turnaround for low-risk permits
The pilot ‘fast lane’ for permits is part of a bundle of modernization efforts for Pittsburg’s permitting process.
Eating, littering on Singapore buses now a fineable offense
Passengers who put other riders in danger may be charged thousands of Singapore dollars.
This rural Oklahoma town doesn’t want a data center. It may not be able to stop the project
With the project outside city limits and little county oversight of unincorporated land, officials are considering measures to gain local control.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Thousand Oaks
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello