Comments on: A New Intermodal Station for Rochester, New York.

By: RECONNECT ROCHESTER » Rochester Intermodal Rail Station Update ...Go Transit!

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:44:33 +0000

[...] 78% of those who commented preferred the current site at 320 Central Avenue over the other three options. Planners like this site as well because the tracks are already configured appropriately in this location and the site has a straight line of site to Rochester’s downtown core. This site was also where Rochester’s beloved Claude Bragdon station once stood. This was also the site chosen by Reconnect Rochester for our concept plan. [...]

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 01:35:40 +0000

I just arrived today at the Rochester Amtrak station expecting to see some movement on the new intermodal station. There did not seem to be anything going on, not even signs indicating that a new structure was being planned, even though the website mentions construction in 2012. Does anyone know the date when we can expect the City to break ground for this project?

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 04:25:24 +0000

Where will the funding for this project come from? Amtrak faces its greatest threat from Congress in its 40 plus years of existence. Is Amtrak funding the construction of the new intermodal Rochester station, or are monies coming from elsewhere.

I would like to use this opportunity to tell everyone interested in Reconnect Rochester to communicate with their representative and senators not to cut Amtrak funding. In fact, people viewing this website might be interested in joining the National Association of Railroad Passengers (=NARP), an organization that promotes not only intercity rail but also lightrail within cities and metropolitan areas.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:28:10 +0000

We chose to reuse the tunnels in this case for a few reasons:
1. they are already there. if rehabilitation is feasible (we have not studied the existing conditions) it could be most cost effective to use what’s already there
2. Simplicity. Both from a design and engineering standpoint, and for the passenger. The elevation change from the street to the train platforms would require a bridge to built 3-4 stories above street level in order to traverse the tracks. We think this could prove to be an inconvenience, since passengers would be required to take two elevator rides; one up to the bridge, and one back down to the platform.

Either way you’d be traveling through a tunnel. Whether it’s above or below the tracks. We feel safety concerns can be addressed.

You may be interested to know that official preliminary drawings do show a bridge over the tracks. Check out the drawings here… http://bit.ly/tewNKJ and keep an eye out for the next public input meeting which should be coming up this Spring.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:32:49 +0000

I travel Amtrak extensively, and I have seen both passenger tunnels and bridges in use at stations in just about equal number. My point about the old Amtrak stations was not that the tunnels were unsafe per se, but that the neglect of the station had made things

By: Charles R

Charles R — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 08:57:20 +0000

I love the plan. There is definitely a need to replace the current and this seems like the perfect thing to do it. I do have one issue with it, and that is the re-use of the underground tunnels. Though I’m not aware of any particular reasons for this (though I assume they’re cost savings and convenience) it seems that most stations seem to be trending towards bridges instead of tunnels. It seems to me that, as has been seen previously, it is all to easy for tunnels to become very dangerous. Just my two cents.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:51:49 +0000

@Adam, Bergmann Associates and the City are conducting a scoping study. The study will determine where the facility will be, what should be included, who will operate it, how much it will cost, etc. This upcoming open house will be the first opportunity for the public to comment on initial findings and give input on the vision for the new station.

By: Adam

Adam — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:46:46 +0000

Great. This is good news and I’ll try to make it…

But as asked above, where exactly are we in this process? It’s very confusing.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 01:32:28 +0000

The moment you’ve all been waiting for is here! The first public open house to give your input on the vision for Rochester’s new intermodal transportation center. Event details are here… http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110130859100173

You don’t need to RSVP but it would help us get the word out. Please share this event with your network. See you there!

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:09:00 +0000

I love trains and have been riding Amtrak for as much of my business and pleasure as I can. I remember where I was standing in my house when my father showed me the photo of the New York Central Station the day the wreckers destroyed it. I believe the vulgarian responsible for the outrage was a developer living in Florida. Downtown was not the same since.

What you have done here shows imagination, vision, and confidence in the future of mass transit and of Rochester. Let’s go for it, AND let’s get a light rail shuttle going between this station and the Mortimer St bus terminal. From that shuttle, we can build an efficient downtown circulating trolley.

Some questions:
What is the status of this plan now (5 November 2011)? What opposition do we face and how are we faring facing it? How public is this plan, i.e., how many of the 1.1 million people in our greater metropolitan area know about it? And most important, do we have the financial backing to see it through?

Inasmuch as I would like to see the current Amtrak station replaced, I would like to remind everyone what it replaced. Two-thirds of Claude Bragdon’s building was destroyed; only the western third was left to function as the station. As time went on, that piece was boarded up, and passenger waiting and ticketing were moved inside the tunnel leading to the platforms, though only one platform was used. The tunnel leaked, the benches were filthy with pigeons, and the whole thing was so unsafe that Amtrak threatened to pull out because so many passengers were robbed at knife and gunpoint. The city had to keep an on-duty cop there. That is when the current station was built, and it was so designed that it could be easily converted to what you propose here; e.g., the Bradgon platform tunnels.

Thanks for your work.