The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued $3.4 billion in funding to advance the Second Avenue Subway Project.
“New York City has the most extensive public transit system in America, yet there are still transit deserts that don’t have easy access to the subway—including those communities where people are most likely to rely on public transit to get around,” said United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The extension of the Second Avenue Subway will make it possible for thousands of New Yorkers to get to work and school, access healthy groceries and health care and see their loved ones—all while easing congestion on other subway lines and reducing carbon pollution.”
The FTA signed the $3.4 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement as a part of the Capital Investment Grant program, which receives funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The funding will help support the 1.8-mile extension of the Q line along the east side of Manhattan to 125th St., relieving overcrowding on the Lexington Avenue Line, which transports 200,000 riders daily.
“This project has been decades in the making and will extend the existing line to East Harlem, an area often considered a transit desert,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. “With support from President [Joe] Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13) and the entire New York Congressional delegation, we are finally getting this done.”
The $7.7 billion extension project is the second of four planned phases to extend the Second Avenue Subway to improve the region’s public transportation network.
The Second Avenue subway extension includes three new accessible stations, power substations, signal systems, track infrastructure and communication systems. It will connect the northern end of the subway line – Phase 1 reached 96th St. – to the existing Lexington Avenue Line at 125th St.
“The new Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 line will improve mobility by providing much-needed transit access in Manhattan to East Side residents, workers and visitors and reduce crowding on the Lexington Avenue Subway Line, which is more than 100 years old,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “We are pleased to support this project that will better connect communities to jobs and education.”
