Empire State Today

600-Foot-Long Elevated Path Adds New Woodland and Timber Bridges, Knits Together New Public Spaces and Public Transit Surrounding Moynihan Train Hall

Governor Kathy Hochul on June 21 announced the opening of the new High Line - Moynihan Connector, a stunning new elevated pathway for pedestrians in the heart of Manhattan, with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Brookfield Properties and Friends of the High Line. The Connector knits together new public spaces and public transit surrounding Moynihan Train Hall with the High Line, allowing pedestrians an uninterrupted, accessible and safe path all the way from West Midtown to the West Village. It officially opens to the public tomorrow, June 22.

"The High Line is an outstanding example of effective public-private partnership, and this latest addition will enhance this attraction for New Yorkers and visitors alike," Governor Hochul said. "Thanks to state resources and the combined efforts of Friends of the High Line and Brookfield, the High Line - Moynihan Connector will add 600 feet of new open space to transform one of New York City's busiest neighborhoods. This project is a testament to the power of smart, sustainable design, enhancing one of the most beloved parts of the city, and I encourage New Yorkers and visitors to take advantage of this beautiful new space."

Executive Director of Friends of the High Line Alan van Capelle said, "This is a project that ties neighborhoods and public spaces together. We've heard for years about how inhospitable these streets around the entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel felt for people in the community. Now, the Connector will give our neighbors a safe, green, and inspiring pathway between the High Line and Midtown. We are so grateful to our partners at the State, Brookfield Properties and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation for helping us realize this vision."

Managing Partner of Brookfield Real Estate Ben Brown said, "The High Line - Moynihan Connector is a major transportation advancement for New York City and a pivotal milestone in the evolution of Manhattan's newest neighborhood. Not only does it bridge communities, but also it connects and expands some of New York's most exciting public open spaces in the High Line and Manhattan West Plaza. Governor Hochul and ESD deserve enormous credit for making it happen, and we thank Friends of the High Line and our design and construction partners for their crucial roles."

This project is a testament to the power of smart, sustainable design, enhancing one of the most beloved parts of the city, and I encourage New Yorkers and visitors to take advantage of this beautiful new space.

Governor Kathy Hochul

Design for the 600-foot long, L-shaped High Line - Moynihan Connector began in February 2021 and the project broke ground in February 2022, completing construction in just 18 months. The Connector has two distinct sections: a richly planted, 340-foot Woodland Bridge that runs above West 30th Street from the High Line's terminus at the Spur and a 260-foot, one-block-long Timber Bridge, built from sustainably sourced Alaskan Yellow Cedar, that runs north above Dyer Avenue toward the adjacent Magnolia Court pedestrian plaza at Manhattan West. The project also includes significant safety improvements at street level, including new pedestrian signals, lighting, crosswalks, refuge islands and large planters.

The Connector is the result of a $50 million public-partnership established in 2021 among Friends of the High Line, Empire State Development, and Brookfield Properties, running above property owned by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As part of the three-way partnership, ESD contributed $20 million, Brookfield contributed $20 million, and Friends of the High Line contributed $10 million to the project. The project's innovative design was a collaboration by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) and James Corner Field Operations. The Connector is owned by Empire State Development and will be operated and maintained by the Friends of the High Line, with structural maintenance oversight by AECOM.

The 1.5-mile High Line is a public park that operates under a license agreement and with partnership from the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, which has made the park possible.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The High Line-Moynihan Connector demonstrates the positive progress that can be achieved when the public, private, and non-profit sectors pursue productive partnerships. Projects that improve the public realm are an investment in New York's future, and thanks to Governor Hochul's support, the High Line-Moynihan Connector will not only benefit commuters, residents, and visitors, but also spur further economic development on Manhattan's West Side."

Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said, "By creating beautiful new open space while connecting the surrounding community to public transportation, the High Line - Moynihan Connector serves as a shining example of what can be accomplished through a public-private partnership. The Port Authority is proud to partner with the state, Friends of the High Line, and Brookfield Properties in making this exciting project a reality."

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, "For over two decades, I have pushed for the economic revitalization of the West Side of Manhattan through significant investments in transit, public space, and other amenities for New Yorkers. I am so pleased that two vital components of the West Side's renaissance, the High Line and Moynihan Train Station, are now interconnected as part of New York's world-class transportation network that moves millions of New Yorkers by train and on foot every single day. This is smart and forward-looking urban planning at its finest, and I commend all of our public and private partners who made this great milestone possible."

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "It is vital that pedestrians have easy, safe access to public transportation when navigating the heart of Manhattan. The opening of this connector will help countless pedestrians navigate Manhattan safely and provide easy access between public spaces and public transit. I am proud to support Governor Hochul's efforts to expand pedestrian access and improve pedestrian safety for New Yorkers and visitors alike."

Representative Jerrold Nadler said, "On June 21 opening of the High Line - Moynihan Connector is a transformational addition to the West Side, providing pedestrians with a safe, direct alternative to the congested streets below," said Congressman Nadler. "I've fought for the High Line since its inception, and this new connection will ensure the park remains a top attraction for New Yorkers and tourists alike."

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "Connecting Moynihan Train Hall and the High Line, two symbols of modern urban design and sustainability on the West Side, will bolster economic development in my district and help promote public space and public transit for the city. I thank our friends at the High Line, Brookfield Properties, Empire State Development, and Governor Hochul for bringing this project to completion. This project is the result of a successful public-private partnership - and will make for a greener, more sustainable, and more beautiful New York."

Assemblymember Tony Simone said, "The future of growth in Manhattan is on the West Side, and we need to ensure infrastructure always keeps up with demand. The High Line-Moynihan Connector will bring a unique new pedestrian connection that will not only enhance the public realm, but also create new connections for pedestrians moving through the neighborhood."

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, "Bridging one of history's most innovative parks with the nation's busiest transit hub is a sign of our city's commitment to connecting the best of New York. This investment in open space is transformative for what has long been one of the least pedestrian-friendly stretches in Manhattan. The Connector heralds a new era for access to the far west side."

Original source can be found here.