NYC Subway Expansion Brings East Harlem Closer
MTA awards $292M contract to extend Q line 1.5 miles to 125th Street with three stations
NYC Awards $292M Contract for Subway Extension
New York's MTA awarded a $292 million tunneling contract to Schiavone Construction for the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, moving the long-awaited East Harlem extension into active construction. The project will extend the Q line 1.5 miles north from 96th Street to 125th Street with three new stations, officials said December 18. Construction begins this month, though officials haven't specified exact completion dates beyond the early 2030s.
Century-Old Transit Plan Reaches Construction Phase
The Second Avenue Subway has been discussed since 1929, making Phase 2's advancement historically significant for Manhattan's East Side. Phase 1 opened in January 2017 after a decade of construction, extending the Q line from 63rd Street to 96th Street with three stations. Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, said the project "will create good-paying jobs, improve connectivity, and provide better access to opportunity for New Yorkers." The $7.7 billion Phase 2 represents the MTA's commitment to completing the long-interrupted expansion, though officials haven't released a detailed breakdown of funding sources.
Three Stations to Serve East Harlem Communities
The extension will add stations at 106th Street, 116th Street, and 125th Street, bringing subway access to neighborhoods that have waited decades for direct service. Schiavone Construction will excavate approximately two miles of tunnels, along with a launch box, retrieval shaft, and cross passages. Richard Davey, NYC Transit President, told reporters the expansion "will be a game-changer for East Harlem residents who have waited decades for this improved transit access." Officials said the stations will provide faster connections to the rest of the subway network, though specific ridership projections weren't available.
Tunnel Boring Begins in 2027
Construction starts in January 2025 with preparatory work, while the tunnel boring machine will begin excavation in 2027. Janno Lieber, MTA Chair and CEO, said the contract award represents "a huge step forward for the Second Avenue Subway and for the future of public transit in New York City." The project is expected to be completed in the early 2030s, though officials didn't provide a specific target date. Jamie Torres-Springer, MTA Construction & Development President, said the agency is "confident in our contractor's ability to deliver" the complex underground work.
Riders Can Track Construction Progress
East Harlem residents will see improved transit access once the three stations open, connecting communities to jobs and educational opportunities across the city. Officials said they'll release additional project details as construction progresses, though a timeline for those announcements wasn't provided. The MTA hasn't said how many construction jobs the project will create. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on Q line service and construction-related changes to subway routes.
