nyc fact/tip #17:

grand central madison is one of the most expensive and delayed public transit projects ever, at an estimated cost of 11.1 billion dollars (5 times over budget). it should have opened in 2009 but opened in 2023 (14 years delayed) instead due to numerous delays. the station does look fantastic, though.

it is part of the east side access project, expanding the lirr to connect penn station to grand central. this is because many commuters taking the long island railroad (lirr) are going to somewhere closer to grand central (east 42nd and park ave) than where the lirr would drop them off at penn station (west 31st and 8th ave).

grand central terminal serves the metro-north railroad (which goes north into ny state and into ct), and penn station serves lirr, nj transit, and amtrack. grand central terminal now connects to grand central madison (underneath the terminal) with the lirr.

you won’t want to miss a step down these escalators found in grand central madison.

image credit: crainsnewyork.com