MTA unveils plan to shore up Metro-North Rail's Hudson Line

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York yesterday announced a plan to fortify MTA Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line against future stormwater runoff, tidal floods and other extreme weather risks.

Known as the Metro-North Hudson Line Climate Resilience Blueprint, the initiative calls for rebuilding critical infrastructure, including culverts, drainage, retaining walls, slopes, shorelines and track. Efforts will focus on a 20-mile stretch between Riverdale and Croton-Harmon that is vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather, MTA officials said in a press release.

The blueprint also outlines design guidance and actions to protect the entirety of the Hudson Line from the effects of climate change, and ensure a coordinated approach is taken for all future Hudson Line projects, MTA officials said. Those efforts will include target track elevations, standards for waterfront shoreline improvements and performance criteria for drainage.

“By the 2050s, 80% of the Hudson Line will be at increased risk of flooding due to rising sea levels and more frequent severe weather events,” said Metro-North President Justin Vonashek. “The Hudson Line is a key economic driver for the Hudson Valley and it’s important that we make these crucial investments to protect the future of not only the railroad, but the entire coastal area."

The blueprint is a flagship project in the MTA's 2025-2029 Capital Plan.