[babble-on]

200,000 today, on two lousy tracks over ancient bridges and through ancient tunnels.

Many many more than 200,000 in the future. Not to mention there’s no other way to move them, and no room for them to live in NYC.

[Alberta's Child]

Even if you double that number it wouldn't be a worthwhile investment.

Keep in mind that the 200,000 figure represents ALL riders in those tunnels -- includind AMTRAK intercity passengers and New Jersey Transit commuters. NJ Transit's ridership reports list around 100,000 daily boardings at Penn Station in New York, so the number is even smaller than I originally thought.

[Stingray51]

To the extent we are talking federal money, I think the same funds could get more bang for the buck elsewhere.

[Alberta's Child]

If you read through the NEPA Environmental Impact Statement documents for this project, one thing that stands out is that providing more future rail capacity isn't even listed in the description of the project purpose and need.

The whole project is presented as a necessary measure to take the existing tunnels out of service and rehabilitate them, and provide redundancy in the future.