I am planning to send this letter to the President of Metro North, Peter Cannito and to Peter Kalikow, President of MTA at 347 Madison Ave, NY, NY 10017. You can help us pressure the Metro North to address this train station crisis by writing a similar letter. What's happening at the Hartsdale Train Station is an outrage. With your help --maybe we will get some positive action.
PAUL FEINER
This letter is being written to request an opportunity to meet with Peter Cannito , President of Metro North and Peter Kalikow ,President of the MTA to discuss the status of the Hartsdale train station overpass project. Many of my constituents are very upset that this project is taking so long. Repairing an overpass should not take 10 months! It's truly an outrage. Hartsdale commuters are being inconvenienced the entire winter. Metro North officials should invite the Inspector General to conduct an independent review of the way this project has been managed and should also take steps to expedite the completion date.
There is inadequate alternate/temporary pedestrian routing during the construction period ---creating very dangerous conditions for commuters when there is snow or ice on the routes that pedestrians use to take the train. At the minimum a temporary bridge at the north end of the platform should be built, perhaps directly into the HPD garage.
Another suggestion that constituents have suggested would be to have northbound trains stop on the southbound side during peak evening hours so that passengers can discharge along the entire length of the train instead of all crowding to the back.
I"m upset that the design build contract did not address disabled access to the train station (elevators, for example). I intend to contact the Justice Department and NY State Attorney General's office and will ask them to review whether the Hartsdale train station complies with the spirit and intent of ADA laws as it impacts the disabled. Metro North should not look for excuses not to address this important cause. There are elevators at other train stations. Hartsdale seniors and disabled residents deserve to be treated no differently.
Finally, please be advised that the warming hut on the nyc side of the tracks is an absolute disaster and should be demolished and replaced. When it rains, water pours down inside the hut. I'm concerned about the possibility of an electrical problem which could result in injury.
I look forward to participating in a meeting and would also be willing to meet with the entire Metro North Board at a convenient time. PAUL FEINER, Greenburgh Town Supervisor
