NEW YORK, NY – STV, a leading, infrastructure-focused, award-winning professional firm, joined New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to celebrate the opening of Grand Central Madison, a new 700,000-square-foot terminal and concourse below Grand Central Terminal. The new facility and service is a key part of a long-term plan to expand LIRR capacity and bring commuters from Long Island and Queens directly to the East Side of Manhattan.
STV has played a key role supporting this program since its inception more than 30 years ago, preparing the initial feasibility study and Major Investment Study (MIS) planning for the $11.2 billion project in 1998; as well as serving on the General Engineering Consultant joint venture team that provided tunnel, structures, systems, terminal design and environmental engineering services for this transformative initiative.
“Today marks the conclusion of a project that started for STV more than 30 years ago, but it also is the beginning of Grand Central Madison’s life for millions of travelers,” said Greg Kelly, P.E., president and CEO of STV. “We are so grateful to be a part of this transformative infrastructure program that will improve connectivity in the region for generations to come.”
Grand Central Madison will usher one of the most dramatic updates to LIRR service in a generation, and is the largest single construction program ever undertaken by MTA Capital Construction. The LIRR – North America’s busiest commuter railroad – will now reach both sides of Manhattan for the first time, with trains to both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison. Two new tunnels between Manhattan and Queens will increase train capacity to and from New York City by 50% and improve reliability for customers. Previous studies found that service to the new terminal will save nearly 100,000 commuters more than 30 minutes each day, reduce traffic congestion, and improve air quality.
“STV has had a long-standing relationship with MTA and LIRR that goes back to this project’s very infancy. It’s exciting to see this come to fruition,” said Dominick Servedio, chairman of STV. “This expansion in service is a boon for the region’s economy and is going to make a big difference in many people’s lives.”
The new station has eight tracks and four platforms on two new levels below the existing lower level of Grand Central Terminal. Running alongside Madison Avenue from 43rd Street to 48th Street, Grand Central Madison includes a blend of retail and restaurants, spacious waiting areas, free Wi-Fi, and real-time departure information. The station is fully accessible and features passive wayfinding, new artwork from MTA Arts & Design, and area maps.
Home to 3 million people, Nassau and Suffolk counties have grown dramatically since LIRR’s inception. The opening of Grand Central Madison will allow MTA to run more LIRR trains at peak hours, expanding reverse commuting opportunities between Long Island and New York City. With a 65% increase in reverse-peak weekday trains, along with more trains in the early-morning and late-evening rush hours, new opportunities will be unlocked for tourism, schools, parks and jobs on Long Island.
