Right of way

High Tech Transportation for Staten Island

A new highspeed railway line connecting New Dorp and Eltingville could save up to 150 trees, as well as 10 minutes in commuting time for migrant workers. If the plan, as proposed by local developer Tony Tropicana, is being pushed forward, construction could still begin this year. In order to have the highly modern high speed train reach its maximum travel speed of 300 miles/hr, according to Tropicana, about 60 miles of straight track would have to be laid south into New Jersey, with a loop and return track through central Pennsylvania. That way the relatively short distance from New Dorp to Eltingville could be traveled in under 20 minutes. That is up to 10 minutes less than the average car commute. And from an environmental standpoint, the rail track would produce much less noise and emisson than the proposed heliport. Borough President Molinaro already signed the first phase, beginning with sustainable deforestation of farmland in the tri-state area. During a recent press conference, he could hardly hide his excitement: "I say Tony, if we can do this, we'll do it!"

Christoph Mayer for northshore.noizart.com