West Side Manhattan Transitway Study

J n response to the current and anticipated changes in the type and intensity of land use activities on Manhattan's West Side, the New York City Department of City Planning is conducting the West Side Transitway Study to ensure that adequate transportation services are in place to serve the new workers, residents, and visitors. The study, funded by the UMTA, is a four-phase effort that is examining potential transportation problems created by the anticipated developments, defining the degree to which improvements are needed, and determining the feasibility of implementing and operating new transit services and facilities to solve the identified problems. Because current sources of funding for public transportation are fully committed to the operation, rehabilitation, and upgrading of New York City's existing systems, innovative methods for financing and implementing the recommended improvements are being explored. This paper summarizes the first three phases of the study's transportation component. The existing transportation conditions in the study area are explored along with the future problems and needs created by the new development. The type of transportation improvement alternatives developed, primarily light rail transit (LRT) options, and specific issues related to reinstituting LRT in a dense urban environment such as Manhattan are described. In addition, issues related to privatization of the project implementation and operation are reviewed.