http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

Incorporate room for expansion in Sch’dy Amtrak station plans

    The new Schenectady Amtrak station planned by Metroplex and the CDTA is fundamentally flawed because its design prevents it from being scaled up for future growth, primarily concerning the need for additional tracks and platforms.
    The current proposal is an improved and larger version of the existing station, that while satisfactory for the most part is shortsighted in placing the new head house (waiting room, ticket counters, restrooms) on the footprint of the existing station. This would block future expansion of tracks and platforms that would be needed if the number of trains increased to the level seen at Albany-Rensselaer or to accommodate a future high-speed rail system.
    What if the New York City trains that now terminate at Albany where extended to Schenectady, or the long-talked-about Saratoga-Albany commuter service was started? A future high-speed rail system will most likely utilize the existing rail lines to enter downtown Schenectady, thus it would be logical if the new station could be designed to accommodate this future need as well.
    Considering that Albany-Rensselaer is getting a fourth track, Schenectady would need more platforms and tracks, too, if service was expanded.
    The old 1908 Union Station had two platforms and six tracks, but when the head house was torn down in 1971, some 50 to 60 feet of the viaduct on the west side also was demolished.
    Today there are only three tracks, a freight bypass for the D&H and two tracks serving the single island platform. However, if the razed portion of the viaduct were restored, then there would be space for another island platform, served by two more tracks. Four tracks and two platforms should be quite adequate for all future needs.
    Currently the new station project is estimated to cost around $8.9 million; restoring the entire viaduct would likely raise this at least $10-30 million. While more expensive, it is in line with many highway projects. Consider that the state is spending $22.4 million on the Round Lake Bypass and $33 million on internal roads for the Luther Forest Tech Campus. I think we can afford investing in the future in downtown as well was suburbia.
    With the potential of improved and expanded rail, does it make sense to make a multimillion-dollar investment that could be obsolete in a decade?

    BENJAMIN J. TURON
    Ballston Spa

I think we will be the 'drive-by' colleqe town......kind of like the ball of strinq on route 666......