NYC transit projects 2018: Subway upgrades, NYC Ferry, LaGuardia renovation and more

New Yorkers will soon have two more ways to commute between Long Island City, the Bronx and Manhattan. The NYC Ferry service is expected to launch two new ferry routes: Lower East Side and Soundview. Both routes will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, including on holidays. The daily schedules, however, will change based on the season, according to the city.

The city also partnered with Hornblower to build 20 new ferry ships in 2018, six of which will be larger, 350-passenger boats to accommodate an increase in ridership. Each of the ships will feature a food and drink concession stand, a state-of-the-art security system, charging stations and free Wi-Fi.

The new ferry routes are:

Lower East Side: Long Island City – North, East 34th Street, East 23rd Street, Grand Street and Pier 11/Wall Street

Soundview: Soundview, East 90th Street, East 62nd Street, Wall Street/Pier 11

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Photo Credit: Yeong-Ung Yang

Although the L train shutdown won’t happen until April 2019, discourse over how to mitigate its impact on riders will continue to make headlines in 2018.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and city Department of Transportation unveiled its mitigation plans – including a 14th Street busway and 13th Street bikeway in Manhattan and increased subway service on lines near the L in Brooklyn – but some critics argue the blueprints are too Manhattan-centric.

DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg assured concerned riders that Grand Street, an already busy road that will play a key role in moving new bus service over the Williamsburg Bridge during the shutdown, will get dedicated bike and bus space. Details, however, have yet to be finalized and are unlikely to be announced before 2018.

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Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote

As Timon in “The Lion King” says: “You gotta put your past behind you.”

While we could whine about the transit problems of 2017, it’s much more fun to look to the future.

From extra routes on the NYC Ferry to progress on the Subway Action Plan and LaGuardia Airport renovation, here’s a look at what’s in store for New York City in 2018.