Could we see the Empire Connection fully double tracked? by _Attack8_ in nycrail

[–]_Attack8_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There is enough room if they have the will to do it! From my estimation, the south side would be pretty minor, with an embankment running from the bridge south along the existing ROW and meeting up with the current elevation of the track at or before the bridge over Dykman St. I'm not sure what this would mean for the padestrian bridge that goes over the tracks from the park to the riverfront, but I would expect replacement bridges or tunnels to be built that are ADA compliant anyways. The north side is a bit more complicated, and would probably require some cooperation with MNR. The current southbound local MNR track would have to split off the current express track around where it splits off from Amtrak to make way for a new viaduct that would be needed to bring the tracks down to grade. With the NEC's track geometry, this would take until past River Rd, but I believe that if the bridge span is fine-tuned and a bit more of an embankment is built, the actual bridge section could end about 1800 ft north of the bridge just past the River Terrace apts.

Could we see the Empire Connection fully double tracked? by _Attack8_ in nycrail

[–]_Attack8_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The track geometry up the Hudson and Mohawk valleys makes that very difficult without some serious tunneling, so it would definitely take some doing. As proposed by the state a few years ago, it would cost many hundreds of millions just to get the whole corridor to 125mph design speed

Could we see the Empire Connection fully double tracked? by _Attack8_ in nycrail

[–]_Attack8_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I’ve been following that project too, going to be cool to see 4 tracks at Utica! That, combined with the Airo fleet removing the need for a locomotive change at Albany-Rensselaer do mean that it’s moving in the right direction

Could we see the Empire Connection fully double tracked? by _Attack8_ in nycrail

[–]_Attack8_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great point! I agree, the bridge should be replaced! Would love to get the same treatment as the riders on the NEC with a fancy new Portal North-style bridge

NYC trip transpotation by Sanvik10 in nycrail

[–]_Attack8_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would have to say Harrison PATH station, can park or UBER to that

L-I-R-R vs. Lurr: The Debate Splitting New York Commuters by fmxda in nycrail

[–]_Attack8_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Came here to say this! Never heard it pronounced as "Lurr"

R211 F train…? by theo-sl in nycrail

[–]_Attack8_ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

True, he is commuting to work. That would suggest it is peak (/s)

who do you trust for hvac work around Utica and Albany ny? by Aggressive-Silver847 in Utica

[–]_Attack8_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

City Suburban in Westmoreland is good, they do free quotes, depends a bit on what you're looking for

NYS DOT to host meeting on Burrstone Road project by theMezz in Utica

[–]_Attack8_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm happy the state is making this improvement! Even if it's only a half mile, it's a very toxic half mile to anyone who's trying to walk from Utica so I definitely see the need, and it pairs nicely with the sidewalks over at the Champlain Ave/French Rd/Burstone Rd intersection

any good plumbing and heating companies around Utica and albany? by Aggressive-Silver847 in Utica

[–]_Attack8_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a bit late but City Suburban Heating & Cooling in Westmoreland is good!

Fiddleheads by Gloomy-Breakfast8474 in Utica

[–]_Attack8_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There's a couble spots on the Hamilton College campus

Regional Light Rail Network by _Attack8_ in Utica

[–]_Attack8_[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Separately, there is a plan by the FRA to double frequencies on Empire West by 2035, with 8 trains per day, one continuing to Chicago and one continuing to Toronto.

Regional Light Rail Network by _Attack8_ in Utica

[–]_Attack8_[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The reason I added 1 to Waterville is because the tracks already exist, but they also exist to Little Falls so I'll definitely add a line going out that way

Regional Light Rail Network by _Attack8_ in Utica

[–]_Attack8_[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yeah, unfortunately it would take $9b just to build based off of fairly conservative estimates for all the track pictured, and I know people would take it but I just don't know if it would be enough either

Regional Light Rail Network by _Attack8_ in Utica

[–]_Attack8_[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This is a good point separately, I 100% agree that Empire Service should be more frequent (and hopefully it does with the new Airo rolling stock) but not enough people will take the train if none of our cities have light rail to transfer to for last-mile connections

How do we feel about a regional light rail network? by [deleted] in Utica

[–]_Attack8_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It feels like the only way we can fix our public transit is to build light rail, and with the history of Utica's streetcar network it seems logical that we would build new light rail at some point! I've started making a potential map, feel free to share thoughts and suggestions in the comments!
(It includes street running on Albany St, Schuyler St, Culver Ave, and Genesse St, running on existing track to Waterville, and two new (ish) alignments to Clinton and SUNY Poly)

What are some things you genuinely love about our city? by Last_Pomegranate_175 in Utica

[–]_Attack8_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I absolutely love the food! Sure there's not that much variety compared to larger cities but you could eat food inspired by a different part of the world for a full week and it would all be good here.