Cuomo Calls For Study Of Subway Line To Red Hook

RED HOOK, NY — Governor Andrew Cuomo called for a study to add new subway service to Red Hook as part of his proposals in this year's "State of the State" address. The plan would also look at relocating maritime activities in the neighborhood to free up land.

The proposal could extend subway service from lower Manhattan to Red Hook through an underwater tunnel and build a new station in the neighborhood, Cuomo said.

"Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood is full of untapped potential, and with this proposal, I am calling on the Port Authority to accelerate consideration of relocating its Red Hook maritime activities to free up this waterfront for more productive community use," Cuomo said in a statement.

"I am also calling on the MTA to take steps to improve transportation options to Red Hook, including studying the potential of a new subway line to connect Red Hook to Manhattan."

The plan would also look at moving maritime operations at the Port Authority's Red Hook Container Terminal to the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park. The goal would be to improve shipping activities with the move while freeing up the land in Red Hook, Cuomo said.

(Governor Andrew Cuomo's Office)

Red Hook currently has no subway service — forcing residents to travel to Carroll Gardens for the nearest station — but the city added a ferry to Manhattan last year as part of their subsidized line. Ridership on the NYC Ferry has already surpassed the city's expectations.

Cuomo's study won't be the first time the idea to extend a subway from Manhattan to Red Hook has been floated around.

Last year, the engineering firm AECOM released a report that called to add a new 9 train that would expand the 1 line in Manhattan to Red Hook and connect to Park Slope. The proposal was part of a larger redevelopment plan b ythe company that envisioned thousands of new apartments along the waterfront.

Once the MTA finishes the official study, Cuomo said they would start a planning process with elected officials and local groups.

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