"It is really a piece of essential infrastructure that cancatapult lower Manhattan," turning it into a central businessdistrict, says Eric Deutsch, president of the Alliance for DowntownNew York. The rail line will link Long Island, Downtown Brooklynand JFK to Lower Manhattan. Deutsch says the line will "provideconnectivity to our transportation network that we don't currentlyhave and it will provide quick and easy access to the laborpool.

Traditionally, Lower Manhattan experiences more acutely the ebbsand flows of the economy. But Deutsch says, "This will help smoothtransition and bring more commercial development."

The project is expected to create 80,000 permanent jobs andbetween $9 billion and $12 billion yearly in economic output.Deutsch says the additional jobs will create a demand for officespace to come to the area and add to the recent residential growth.Now, boasting 40,000 residents, the rail line will only enhancethat number as "more people will want to be in this vibrantmixed-use area."