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Earlier this week, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) released its proposed 2008-2011 financial plan. Yesterday, the authority’s three rail agencies announced how they plan to spend their 2008 dollars, though MTA didn’t release the dollar amounts.

MTA Metro-North Railroad will expand service on the Hudson, Harlem, New Haven and Pascack Valley lines. The agency also plans to continue expanding and modernizing its fleet. Next year, Metro-North will approve final design for 300 M-8 electric cars it’s purchasing in conjunction with the state of Connecticut; continue overhauling 140 M-3 electric cars and 31 dual-mode locomotives; finish remanufacturing 104 coaches; replace “critical systems” on 240 M-2 cars; and take delivery of 11 new diesel locomotives.

To help maintain its fleet, Metro-North will begin constructing new coach and locomotive shops at the Croton-Harmon Yard, finish building a new train wash at Highbridge Yard and hire more than 20 mechanics to staff the newly constructed New Haven Line Running Repair Shop.

The agency also will install more than 35,000 wood and 25,000 concrete ties, resurface 200 miles of track, install 45 switches and replace 35 miles of rail. Metro-North also will begin constructing a new signal system for its three lines and a new Operations Control Center.

In addition, Metro-North will complete renovations at the Irvington, Hastings-on-Hudson and Dobbs Ferry stations, begin reconstructing platforms and overpasses at the Phillipse Manor, Scarborough and Ossining stations, and continue constructing a new station at Yankee Stadium.

Station renovations are a key component of MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) 2008 improvement plans, as well. The agency will complete ADA accessibility improvements at five stations, as well as rehabilitate five subway stations. NYCT also plans to add service on several subway and bus lines, take delivery of new R160 cars and install 60,000 feet of new track.

Finally, MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will add service on several branches, equip station ticket office windows to handle credit and debit card payments, and install 15 credit/debit-only ticket vending machines at high-volume stations. LIRR also plans to launch a lifecycle maintenance program for interior car body amenities and components.

In addition, the agency will complete rehabilitation projects at the Valley Stream and Broadway stations, renovate the platform-level waiting room at Freeport Station, replace the pedestrian underpass at Bay Shore Station with a pedestrian overpass, complete design work for the East Hampton Station rehabilitation project, and complete design for an elevator/escalator replacement program.