Governor Kathy Hochul today unveiled designs for the new High Line – Moynihan Connector, an elevated path that will connect the High Line at 30th Street to Moynihan Train Hall through the new Manhattan West public plaza on 31st Street and Dyer Avenue.
We’re excited to be one of the first projects announced by Governor Hochul and are so pleased to partner with the new Governor to advance this along with Empire State Development and Brookfield Properties. The project is moving forward on a rapid timeline and is expected to be finished by spring of 2023. The Moynihan Connector is composed of a pair of two bridges: the Woodlands Bridge, a heavily planted section that extends from the eastern edge of the High Line Spur along 30th Street, and the Timber Bridge that goes north along Dyer Avenue.
The design is a collaboration between James Corner Field Operations, the project lead on the High Line’s transformation into a public space, and Skidmore Owings & Merrill—both firms collaborated on Magnolia Court, the public plaza within Manhattan West.
The design both complements and contrasts with the existing High Line structure. Deep soil beds along the Woodlands Bridge will allow for a lush green ribbon of trees that will encapsulate the visitor from the urban streetscape below. The sustainable wood material of the Timber Bridge is a nod to New York State’s heritage of Warren truss bridges.
Expected to be completed by the spring of 2023, the High Line – Moynihan Train Hall Connector will move east along 30th Street and turn 90 degrees north along Dyer Avenue into the public space at Manhattan West, Brookfield Properties’ mixed-use development. Pedestrians will be able to move through Manhattan West to 9th Avenue and into Moynihan Train Hall which is directly across the street. The design consists of a pair of 600-foot-long bridges that both complement and contrast with the existing High Line structure. The Woodlands Bridge features deep soil beds allowing for a lush green ribbon of trees that will encapsulate the visitor from the urban streetscape below. The Timber Bridge is a Warren truss made of sustainably sourced wood that will run above Dyer Avenue into Magnolia Court, the public plaza at Manhattan West. Steel decking and bronze handrails will link the design of both bridges.
Proposed design for the High Line – Moynihan Connector comprising of two bridges: Woodland Bridge extends from the eastern edge of the High Line Spur along 30th Street and the Timber Bridge that goes north along Dyer Avenue.Photo credit: Courtesy Empire State Development, Brookfield Properties, and Friends of the High Line.
The second piece of High Line Connections would extend from the High Line westward to Hudson River Park. This would start at the northwestern end of the High Line, which currently terminates at 34th Street and 12th Avenue, moving northward, past the Javits Center, before turning west to cross the West Side Highway and end at Pier 76 at Hudson River Park.
Realizing a vision
The Hudson River Park Connector is still a concept, and requires research, design and planning before a budget and timeline can be determined. Most importantly, we will continue to engage with community members and local elected officials to ensure that the plan is informed by the needs and priorities of those who call this neighborhood home. The Port Authority and Empire State Development will work together to study engineering requirements and costs.
The Moynihan Connector realizes a long-standing vision for the High Line to provide better and safer pedestrian access to key New York City transportation hubs, recreational spaces, cultural institutions, and commercial properties. At this time, moving from Penn Station to the northern end of the High Line at 30th Street is a daunting task that includes crossing several busy streets, as well as dealing with trucks and cars entering the Lincoln Tunnel.
A public-private partnership
The Moynihan Connector is a public-private partnership between Empire State Development, Brookfield Properties, and the High Line. Numerous community and elected officials, neighborhood organizations, and community boards have been consulted in the planning and concept process for the Connector.