Viewing NYC Articles Categorized Under Transportation

[WATCH] The Vanderbilts Built Something Under New York in 1899 — And Why Nobody Can Visit

2026-10-10T12:00:00-04:00

This video explores the hidden underground network beneath Grand Central Terminal in New York City, a massive project initiated by the Vanderbilt family in 1899. Initially conceived as a way to electrify rail lines and bury the train yards, the project expanded into a sprawling subterranean 'Terminal City.' This invisible infrastructure includes hidden power stations like M42, which was so secret during WWII that guards had shoot-on-site orders, and private platforms like Track 61, notably used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to discreetly enter and exit the city via the Waldorf Astoria without public visibility. The video reveals how this intricate web of tunnels, passages, and sub-basements connected numerous surrounding buildings, allowing the city's powerful elite to move unseen, and questions why much of this historical network remains undocumented and inaccessible to the public over a century after its construction.

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[WATCH] Manhattan’s fastest bike messenger (1985)

2026-09-29T12:00:00-04:00

This 1985 CBS News archival footage introduces David Leopold, a 24-year-old bike messenger hailed as "an outlaw legend" and "the king of the street" in New York City. Leopold, who "disobeys every traffic law there is," demonstrates his incredible speed and agility as he navigates Manhattan's chaotic streets. The video captures him weaving through dense traffic, darting past red lights, and expertly maneuvering between vehicles with mere inches to spare, earning gasps from onlookers. Other messengers, including "BW" and Alfredo, praise Leopold's unique talent and daring feats, noting his ability to perform "crazy things" and still remain "alive." Working for Streetwise Couriers, Leopold is known for his lightning-fast deliveries, capable of traversing 15 blocks in just three and a half minutes. The piece showcases his fearless attitude and unmatched skill, emphasizing his love for passing everything that moves on the island of Manhattan.

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[VIDEO] Transportation as Atrocity: A Brief Investigation

2026-09-15T12:00:00-04:00

This video delves into the contentious presence of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) in New York City, exploring its detrimental impact on adjacent neighborhoods and contemplating its future. It highlights how mid-20th century urban planning decisions, heavily influenced by figures like Robert Moses, sliced through thriving communities in Brooklyn. The video showcases various segments of the BQE, including the Cobble Hill Trench, the Triple Cantilever in Brooklyn Heights, the Downtown Brooklyn section (including Dumbo), and the Navy Yard Viaduct through Fort Greene and Clinton Hill, illustrating the noise, pollution, and disruption residents face. It also points out the severe opportunity cost of the extensive land dedicated to the expressway in a densely populated and highly valuable real estate market. The host emphasizes that despite being an engineering marvel, sections of the BQE are well past their intended lifespan, posing an urgent question for New Yorkers about whether to rebuild the outdated infrastructure as is or pursue transformative alternatives such as those advocated by Off-Ramp NYC, which envisions replacing highways with green spaces, housing, and efficient transit. The video concludes by urging New Yorkers to consider the kind of city they want to build for the future, moving away from car-centric designs towards more livable and connected communities.

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[VIDEO] How the NYC Ferry Is Staging a Comeback

2026-09-12T12:00:00-04:00

Discover the unexpected resurgence of the NYC Ferry, a once-dominant mode of transport in New York City's 19th and early 20th centuries that waned with the advent of bridges and tunnels, eventually leaving only the Staten Island Ferry as a vestige. The modern system, launched in 2017 by then-Mayor Bill de Blasio, aimed to connect residents across the boroughs. Operated by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the ferry relies on a unique funding structure combining rent revenues and fares, rather than solely federal and state subsidies. Despite a 2022 audit by the City Comptroller that uncovered significant misreported expenditures and overpayments to its private operator, Hornblower Group, the NYCEDC maintains its financial decisions were sound and used the audit as a "wakeup call." In an effort to boost ridership and reduce per-trip subsidies, the ferry has embraced social media marketing, attracted leisure riders and commuters, and introduced new routes, driving ridership to a record 7.4 million passengers last year. The NYC Ferry is now charting a course for continued growth, aiming to expand to new neighborhoods and further integrate into the city's public transit landscape.

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[VIDEO] Flatbush Avenue Redesign - Everything You Need to Know

2026-09-03T12:00:00-04:00

This video details the extensive redesign of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, a major thoroughfare with nearly 400 years of history that serves over 130,000 daily bus riders. The project, expected to be completed by Fall 2026, aims to address decades of traffic congestion and slow bus speeds (averaging 6.8 mph, under 4 mph during peak hours) by implementing center-running bus lanes with physical concrete boarding islands. The redesign from Livingston Street to Grand Army Plaza will also include 29,000 square feet of new pedestrian space, 11 dedicated loading zones for businesses, and 14 new bike parking areas. The video outlines the four construction phases and highlights driver concerns about reduced lanes and potential traffic backups, particularly given Flatbush Avenue's direct connection to the Manhattan Bridge. Additionally, the city is undertaking a separate proposal to transform Grand Army Plaza from a confusing and dangerous traffic circle into a wide, open pedestrian plaza, directly connecting the iconic Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch to Prospect Park. The MTA's official website provides additional information on transit services, while Grand Army Plaza is managed by NYC Parks.

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[WATCH] Camping in New York City was Not What I Expected

2026-08-17T12:00:00-04:00

In this video, content creator Griff Washburn of Goth Babe embarks on an ambitious journey with his seven-ton truck camper, Marlene, and his dog, Sadie. They drive from Tennessee to New York City to challenge the limits of urban RV camping. Griff shares the daunting experience of navigating Manhattan's dense traffic and the perennial struggle of finding parking for such a large vehicle, especially after a recent snowfall. He eventually secures a spot along Riverside Drive near Riverside Park, offering views of the Hudson River and the city skyline. During their stay, Griff cooks a jambalaya meal in Marlene, hosts a spontaneous coffee and chat session with fans, and explores the snowy surroundings with Sadie. The adventure culminates with his girlfriend joining them for Valentine's Day, enjoying the unique experience of having their home base in the heart of Brooklyn, with views of the Manhattan skyline across the river, accessible after crossing the Williamsburg Bridge.

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[VIDEO] Why Amtrak’s Most Important Tunnels Are Doomed

2026-07-27T12:00:00-04:00

The vital North River Tunnels, connecting Manhattan's Penn Station to Secaucus, NJ, are the most heavily trafficked rail tunnels in North America. Built in the early 1900s, these tunnels were severely damaged by saltwater flooding during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The saltwater left behind corrosive chlorides and sulfates, which are causing the concrete to crack and expand, and the internal rebar to rust and disintegrate. This ongoing degradation leads to frequent disruptions, including concrete falling on tracks, electrical failures, and false signals, necessitating nightly inspections and emergency repairs. The proposed solution is the $16 billion Gateway Program, which involves constructing entirely new tunnels—the Hudson Tunnel Project—to double track capacity and allow for extensive, long-overdue repairs on the existing North River Tunnels. This new infrastructure is projected to be completed by 2035, narrowly avoiding the predicted complete failure of the old tunnels.

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[VIDEO] How NYC's Impossible East Side Access Was Constructed

2026-07-03T12:00:00-04:00

This video delves into the colossal East Side Access project (https://www.mta.info/projects/east-side-access), an ambitious undertaking to revolutionize New York City's transit system. The project aims to alleviate congestion on existing commuter lines by connecting commuters from Long Island directly to Grand Central Terminal. Engineers face immense challenges, including excavating massive caverns 150 feet below Park Avenue and Manhattan's dense midtown, requiring controlled blasting through bedrock while maintaining continuous city operations. The construction also involves installing some of the longest escalators in New York City. The video highlights how such ground-breaking innovations are crucial for keeping major urban environments, from New York to other global cities, functioning efficiently despite seemingly impossible obstacles.

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[VIDEO] Why 42nd Street Should Be the World's Greatest Street

2026-06-27T12:00:00-04:00

In this insightful episode from KPF, Forth Bagley and Luc Wilson present a bold vision for transforming 42nd Street into a world-class thoroughfare, leveraging its unique position connecting iconic landmarks and diverse neighborhoods across Manhattan. Despite its potential, linking sites like the United Nations, Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library, Bryant Park, and Times Square, 42nd Street has remained a fragmented and often overlooked urban artery. Through detailed data analysis, the architects propose targeted interventions including a river-to-river streetcar connecting new ferry terminals on the East and Hudson Rivers, expanded public spaces in Times Square, flexible pedestrianization in dense office clusters, and protected bike lanes and pocket parks in quieter residential areas. This holistic approach aims to unify the street's various "neighborhoods within neighborhoods" and transform it into a cohesive, people-first corridor, celebrating its role as a vibrant beating heart for New Yorkers.

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[WATCH] Why New York Wanted to Tear Down the Manhattan Bridge

2026-06-24T12:00:00-04:00

The video delves into the contentious history of the Manhattan Bridge, a vital New York City crossing that, for decades, faced public and political debate over its very existence. Built after the successful Brooklyn Bridge and Williamsburg Bridge proved the East River could be conquered, the Manhattan Bridge's design, which heavily favored rail traffic on its outer edges, subjected it to constant uneven stress and structural fatigue. Critics frequently warned of its long-term problems, suggesting tunnels as a safer alternative to surface bridges. Despite the inherent challenges and the need for frequent, disruptive emergency repairs, the city eventually committed to an expensive, multi-year rehabilitation project to stabilize the indispensable structure, acknowledging that New York could no longer function without it. Today, the Manhattan Bridge stands as a permanent fixture, its turbulent past largely forgotten.

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