NYCT Opens Ridgewood Intermodal Terminal
If you have ever tried transferring between different bus routes or to/from the bus & subway in Ridgewood, you know how much of a chore it is. However if MTA NYC Transit has its way, the debut of the Ridgewood Intermodal Terminal this past Friday will change all of that.
The agency held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday. I was invited to attend but unfortunately could not make it. One of the days, I will make it to one of these events. Anyhow, as is usually the case, they issued a press release about the ceremony with complete details:
With the construction of the new Ridgewood Intermodal Terminal, MTA New York City Transit has created an improved bus to subway transfer facility which now allows the centralization of area bus stops, making for a seamless transfer to the Myrtle/Wyckoff subway station complex.
The new facility is set to officially open today, (Friday, August 20th) following a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by MTA and area representatives. The project is a joint venture with $4 million coming from New York State Assembly Member Catherine T. Nolan through the Capital Reserve Fund along with an additional $485,000 provided by U.S. Representative Nydia A.Velázquez.
As part of the Myrtle/Wyckoff station complex rehabilitation/ADA project, New York City Transit began construction on the new terminal in November 2007. Located on Palmetto Street, the facility is bordered on the south by the intersection of Myrtle and Wyckoff Avenues and on the north by St. Nicholas Avenue, adjacent to the Myrtle-Wyckoff station on the L and M lines.
Previously, bus stops for the Q55, Q58, B13, B26, B52, and B54 bus routes were spread out over the area, making transfers confusing and inconvenient for our customers. Now, however, there is a central bus stop boarding area on Palmetto Street, which is closed to all traffic except for NYC Transit buses and deliveries.
“This facility creates a much improved transfer point, making it easier for our customers to transfer between our bus and subway services,” said NYC Transit President Thomas F. Prendergast. “Additionally, our operating personnel will find it easier to pick up and discharge passengers on a street dedicated to bus boarding and unloading.”
The roadway and sidewalks on Palmetto Street between Wyckoff and St. Nicholas Avenues have been reconstructed. Concrete bus pads have been installed along both sides of Palmetto Street for the length of the block.
“Thanks to the dedicated persistence of Ted Renz and the Ridgewood Local Development Corporation and the professionalism of the Transit Authority and the tremendous support of Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, this important inter-modal project is finally going to benefit our Ridgewood community,” said Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-NY).
As the Assembly representative to the MTA Capital Review Board for many years, I am proud and happy to have played a role in dedicating state funding and support for this critically important project. Mass transit is the economic and environmental lifeblood for our city and it is so important to be here and thank everyone today.”
Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) said: “The residents of Ridgewood deserve reliable and effective transportation. Establishing a new bus terminal and improving the station will not just enhance commuter service; it will also help rejuvenate the community by bringing more visitors to our city.”
Customers will also benefit from the installation of sidewalk canopies suspended from the elevated structure of the M line on both sides of Palmetto Street, providing shelter from the elements throughout the Terminal.
Other amenities include: benches and new lighting to improve the waiting environment for customers; new bus stop signage; bus holding lights linked to the L line (they will be activated as part of a subsequent signal system); and a new dispatcher’s booth, improving working conditions for NYC Transit employees.
The Ferreira Construction Company is the contractor for this project.
This is a nice first step in improving the accessibility to the plethora of transit options available to riders. However it is the not a home run solution as there are still considerable pedestrian flow problems that exist including some who will have to cross even more to access the terminal. It should be interesting to see how well received this terminal will be by riders in the coming months.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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$4M for this is an absolute joke. It consists of a bunch of new signs and a couple of benches which will no doubt be inhabited by homeless most of the time.