History

The MESA Study

In 1995, MTA New York City Transit began the Manhattan East Side Alternatives (MESA) Study. This project was carried out as a federal Major Investment Study/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (MIS/DEIS). The MESA Study goal was to recommend a course of action(s) to reduce overcrowding and delays on the Lexington Avenue Line, and to improve mass transit accessibility for residents on the far East Side of Manhattan.

Through extensive research, technical analysis, and frequent meetings with the public, the following major transportation problems were identified:

Lexington Avenue express service currently operates with passenger loads that exceed New York City Transit guidelines in the AM and PM peak periods. The overcrowded conditions are expected to increase in future years.
Convenient access (1/4 to 1/2 mile) to subway service is lacking on the far East Side of Manhattan.
Passenger crowding commonly lengthens trip times and causes delays in service.
The majority of rush hour buses are crowded and travel speeds are slow due to traffic congestion.
Severe traffic congestion on local streets and the FDR Drive contribute to the City’s inability to meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

MESA Study Scoping Document

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