East Side Access

East Side Access is a railroad tunnel in Midtown Manhattan that connects the Long Island Rail Road to Grand Central Terminal through an eight-track terminal level. The facility sits roughly 46 meters below street level and runs through several city blocks beneath existing infrastructure.

Planning began in the 1960s when the Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposed a direct connection between Long Island and East Midtown Manhattan. The actual construction phase started decades later and was completed after lengthy delays.

The name refers to the geographic connection to Manhattan's East Side, where the new terminal level serves as part of Grand Central Madison station. Commuters today use brightly lit platforms with modern waiting areas and digital information boards.

The terminal level is accessible via escalators and elevators from the main Grand Central Terminal building. Travelers should allow extra time to reach the deeper platforms, especially during rush hours.

During construction, ground freezing techniques were employed to stabilize soil layers beneath Northern Boulevard in Queens. This method allowed engineers to excavate safely through challenging underground conditions.

Location: Manhattan

Part of: Long Island Rail Road

Website: http://web.mta.info/capital/esa_alt.html

GPS coordinates: 40.75000,-73.93500

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:00