Phase 2 of Second Avenue subway expansion moving forward in Harlem
HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) -- The next phase of the Second Avenue subway is finally moving forward -- 50 years after the project came to a halt.
The nearly $2 billion deal includes boring a new tunnel, refurbishing another and building three new stations. It's a project that MTA officials say will one day serve 110,000 riders a day.
At a special meeting Monday morning, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA announced the approval of a new contract for the boring of the necessary tunnels.
Crews have already been moving underground utility equipment so the Q train can run up to 125th Street with new stops at 106th and 116th streets along the way.
At the 125th Street station, riders can transfer to the 4, 5, 6 lines or Metro North.
Hochul said the residents in that area have been long-neglected.
"And I'm so proud that that era is over, that this a community that matters, and this is another way we're telegraphing our strong interest in the full renaissance of Harlem which is extraordinary," Hochul said.
Funding for the project was approved in a special meeting of the MTA Board.
"What I'd say to the riders is, you know, you ain't seen nothing yet about how this project can move much more quickly and deliver for a ton of people who are who are way, way overdue to get mass transit access," said MTA Chair Janno Lieber.
It's projected to be complete within seven years at a total cost of nearly $8 billion and at least some of the money will be coming from congestion pricing tolls.
"This project hopefully will restore people's faith in our capacity and our desire to get the big transformational projects done," Hochul said. "And this is right at the top of the list."
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