“Full Kornhauser”

“Full Kornhauser” Issues

Not surprisingly, tunneling to Palmer Square is no easy matter. The tunnel route must go under road infrastructure, University buildings, etc.As a practical matter, Palmer Square Station is an excellent idea……for the future.

“Half Kornhauser”

As the Dinky comes into Princeton Township from West Windsor, it crosses two bridges, the first spans the D&R Canal and the second crosses Stony Brook where it empties into Carnegie Lake.We do not propose to begin to take the Dinky below its current grade until after it has crossed these two bridges.

Bridge over Stony Brook Bridge over D&R Canal

Bridge over D&R Canal

This historic bridge is notable in two respects:First, it was built with a pivot point, shown here. It originally could be swung away to allow canal boat traffic to pass. It is now fixed in place.Second, it is a rail bridge (note daylight), and would need extensive modification to permit BRT traffic.

After crossing these two bridges, the Dinky begins climbing a steady grade into Princeton Borough.

During this leg of the journey, we propose that the Dinky ROW gradually lower in respect to surface grade.

While difficult to perceive in the picture at left (taken from Faculty Road looking south), the picture at right (taken of Alexander Road near Stony Brook) shows the rising topography in the vicinity of the Dinky ROW.

Faculty Road Crossing

Next, the Dinky crosses University-owned Faculty Road at a grade crossing.In our proposal, the Dinky would pass under Faculty Road, eliminating this grade crossing.

An Example…

While this picture is clearly a larger train than the Dinky, and includes two tracks, this approximates our proposal for the Dinky’s route as it climbs to and passes under Faculty Road.

After Faculty Road, the Dinky continues uphill to the current Station. In our proposal, the Dinky completes its journey from here underground. Very expensive tunneling would be unnecessary, less expensive “cut-and-cover” construction would do the job.

Current Dinky ROW North of Faculty Road

Arrival in Princeton

The Dinky would then continue into Princeton Borough along it’s current route, but approximately x feet below its current route.In this plan, the rails, catenary wires, and protective fencing would be removed through this area.This would give Princeton University the “barrier free” conditions it needs for its Arts & Transit Neighborhood.

Princeton Station

The New Dinky Station could either be a stand alone, below grade facility, OR ….

… the station could be constructed as part of the proposed Performing Arts Building, shown here in a salmon color.While not shown in this graphic, the University intends for this building to have a huge below grade footprint, extending nearly to where the Dinky ROW is today.

Exiting the StationExits for the new, below grade station could surface within the current station building, which the University currently proposes to repurpose as a café. It may well be that the café and station facilities would coexist nicely.Alternatively, the station exits could be located elsewhere…perhaps as part of the Performing Arts Building.

Advantages

• Picture of PU’s “Plan X” needed here.

Preserves rail service to Princeton. Dinky Station as close to downtown as today. Elimination of Faculty Road grade crossing. Requires little modification to Princeton University’s current plan (site of transit plaza becomes commuter lot). No need to build new, above ground station.

Future DevelopmentUniversity owned property

WestUniversity owned property

East

The Dinky ROW is a barrier to development!If it were underground through this area…

…think of the possibilities!

Future Development

Finally, the “Half Kornhauser” plan takes us just that much closer to the day when we can make the “Full Kornhauser” a reality…a rail-based mass transit system right into the heart of Princeton’s downtown!