LIRR Third Track: From Economic Study to Construction

January 8, 2021 / Comments Off on LIRR Third Track: From Economic Study to Construction

On behalf of the Long Island Index, HR&A conducted a comprehensive study of the economic and fiscal impacts of the proposed Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Main Line Third Track project. The project will add an additional track to a 10 mile segment of the LIRR between Floral Park and Hicksville, improving system reliability and significantly enhancing reverse peak service to and from Long Island. Initially part of the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) 5-year capital plan, the project was met with significant opposition from local elected officials and affected communities. In an effort to resuscitate the project, HR&A undertook complex and dynamic economic modeling to quantify the benefits of improved employer access to a skilled regional workforce, higher productivity in denser transit-oriented employment nodes, and rider time savings. Using transportation impacts modeled by project partner Parsons Brinckerhoff, HR&A employed the REMI Policy Insight model to estimate benefits the project would generate for Long Island during its construction and operational phases.

HR&A found that by improving regional mobility, Third Track will position Long Island for sustained economic growth by making it a more attractive place to live and work. Implementing Third Track and enacting complementary land use policies facilitating transit-oriented development (TOD) in station areas would generate 14,000 new jobs on Long Island by 2035, along with $5.6 billion in annual gross regional product and $143 million in annual tax revenues to Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Long Island would also attract 35,000 new residents by 2035, helping stem the outflow of talented young workers and their families. During the five-year construction phase, Third Track would generate $910 million in gross regional product and an average of 2,250 jobs annually, providing employment opportunities for construction workers hit hard by the Great Recession. HR&A summarized its findings in a compelling, graphically strong briefing book that has enabled the Long Island Index to communicate the benefits of Third Track to a range of stakeholders, including the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and LIRR, elected officials, businesses, and residents. The study was instrumental in reviving the project and winning approval and funding from New York Governor Cuomo. The $2 billion project is now under construction and is expected to be completed by late 2022.

Public-Private Development Strategy for Dhaka’s Mohakhali Bus Terminal

December 17, 2019 / Comments Off on Public-Private Development Strategy for Dhaka’s Mohakhali Bus Terminal

The World Bank engaged HR&A to leverage a public-private partnership (PPP) for the development of the Mohakhali Bus Terminal in central Dhaka, aiming to transform it into a state-of-the-art mixed-use transportation hub. With its strategic location and significant potential, this project is designed to enhance transportation options for North Dhaka, integrating inter-city buses and future bus rapid transit services, thereby catalyzing broader neighborhood development.

Located on over eight acres of prime land, the Mohakhali Bus Terminal has the potential to serve as a key transportation interchange amid Dhaka’s rapid economic growth. Recognizing the need for an innovative approach to funding and operations, the World Bank’s “Improving Private Sector Participation in Dhaka Public Transport” project aims to create a transformational model for urban infrastructure. HR&A’s objective was to develop a market-supportable mixed-use program that maximizes the site’s value while accommodating both current and future transportation needs.

 

To achieve this, HR&A conducted a comprehensive assessment of the site’s existing conditions, accompanied by a real estate market analysis to identify feasible land uses. Engaging with local developers and stakeholders, we highlighted key risks and opportunities for the project. This foundational analysis informed the development of various mid- and long-term real estate development scenarios, allowing us to project future revenues from land sales or leases that could fund the terminal operating costs .

 

Additionally, we proposed a range of public-private partnership structures for both terminal operations and the mixed-use development, clarifying roles and responsibilities for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and private entities, along with projected financial outcomes for each model.

 

As a result of our work, DNCC and the World Bank initiated next steps to foster dialogue with municipal and national leaders to build consensus around Mohakhali’s transformative potential and the PPP model as a catalyst for rapid infrastructure development in Bangladesh.