Proposed Roosevelt Island Tram Route Extension To Long Island City And Central Park From Forum For Urban Design Next New York - What Do You Think?

Image Of Proposed Roosevelt Island Tram Extension From Next New York Sky and Water Links

At the Forum For Urban Design Next New York held last spring, architects Claire Weisz, Mark Yoes and Jacob Dugopolski of WXY Architecture +Urban Design proposed:

Imagine new uninterrupted connections across the river, linking major destinations across the five boroughs.

First, we could extend the Roosevelt Island tram in both directions, creating a new link from Queens Plaza to Central Park. The tram could be a high-visibility attraction, steering tourists from Central Park to the museums and galleries of Long Island City. And it would serve commuters as an above-grade transit option with a fantastic view that links Queens Plaza with Midtown Manhattan or the new Roosevelt Island campus and innovation hub.

The East River Ferry could also be expanded to bridge neighborhoods directly across the river from one another. Paired with new bikeways and express bus routes along the waterfront, the ferry would offer a quicker transportation alternative to existing multi-stop bus and subway routes. The ferry should create new access points at Roosevelt Island; Pier 35, Houston Street, and Stuyvesant Cove in Manhattan; and Jay Street and the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Brooklyn...

Image From Next New York Sky and Water Links

Curbed NY reports:

... It would be transit with a view, plus make getting to Cornell's new tech campus on Roosevelt Island easier from both boroughs....

Except, according to an article from yesterday's NY Daily News:

... there’s no money in anyone’s budget to actually build the sky-high link...

and a Roosevelt Island Tram rider adds:

... "It would be inconvenient, because there would be too much traffic,” said Rashida Selim, 62. “The tram cars are very small, and they are already crowded during rush hour.”...

So what do you think? Do you like the idea? I like the idea of a Tram extension to Long Island City but not to Central Park. The tourist traffic from Central Park would be overwhelming.

Here's more Urban Design Forum Next New York interesting ideas.