News Summary
The MTA has approved a $1.9 billion contract to extend the Q line by 1.5 miles into East Harlem, which will include three new subway stations. The project aims to enhance transit accessibility for over 100,000 daily riders by connecting East 96th Street to East 125th Street, with construction set to begin soon. While the project promises significant benefits, it faces community opposition due to the use of eminent domain affecting local residents.
New York – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has approved a substantial $1.9 billion contract for the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway project, aiming to extend the Q line by 1.5 miles into East Harlem. This extension will connect East 96th Street to East 125th Street and is designed to improve transit accessibility for over 100,000 daily riders when it opens in 2032.
Three new subway stations will be constructed at 106th Street, 116th Street, and 125th Street at Lexington Avenue. The total projected cost for the entirety of Phase Two is approximately $7 billion. The contract has been awarded to Connect Plus Partners, a consortium that includes Halmar International and FCC Construction, which will undertake significant tunneling work between 120th Street along Second Avenue to 125th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. Additionally, part of a 1970s-era tunnel between 110th and 120th Street will be retrofitted to support the new infrastructure.
The project is anticipated to greatly enhance subway access to East Harlem, an area that has long been underserved in terms of public transportation. The MTA plans to connect the new stations to the existing 4, 5, and 6 subway lines at 125th Street, thus improving commuter options significantly. The MTA has also set a goal for 20% of the construction workforce to be hired from the surrounding communities, potentially creating hundreds of local job opportunities.
Construction activities are scheduled to begin later this year, with heavy construction expected to commence in early 2026. A tunnel-boring machine is expected to begin operations by early 2027, marking a critical step in the construction process.
While the project has garnered support due to its potential benefits for public transport, it faces opposition from community members. The MTA is utilizing eminent domain to acquire properties necessary for the construction, which will impact at least 33 apartments and result in evictions. Many locals are expressing their frustration and sadness over the impending uprooting of their homes and businesses, recognizing the serious personal repercussions of the subway expansion.
Past phases of the subway project included some measures to assist displaced residents, although the exact support levels for those affected in this phase remain unclear. Elected officials and community leaders have long advocated for subway expansion in East Harlem, emphasizing the urgent need to alleviate crowded conditions on adjacent subway lines like the nearby 6 train.
The project is both a significant step toward improving transit accessibility for East Harlem and a source of concern for those who face the loss of their homes. As construction progresses, the MTA will face the challenge of balancing community development with the needs and concerns of its residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia: Second Avenue Subway
- Fox 5 New York
- Google Search: Second Avenue Subway project
- Gothamist
- Google Scholar: Second Avenue Subway Harlem
- Engineering News-Record
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Second Avenue Subway
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