Second Avenue's T Line: T Minus 7 Years Or So

You want to know how long it'll take to see a Second Avenue Subway? The MTA says it is confident of getting all the funding needed, after the Transportation Bond Act's contribution of $450 million for the project, for a Second Avenue subway to open in 2012. However, it would only reach from 63 Street to 96th Street! At a cost of $3.8 billion, that's a little more than $115 million per block (update: we realized our division was off!). Okay, there's supposed to be a connection to the F, too, but, man, that is a lot of coin and a lot of time, given that we'd expect it open up in 2009 instead (remember back in 2004, when the MTA said they would start construction on it later in the year?). Newsday has more details about the funding, plus a great quote from MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow: "This is the public saying to the MTA, 'We trust you with a billion and a half dollars, we think you are going to use that money wisely, spend it correctly,' and these are the things that make my job worthwhile." Mr. Kalikow, here are millions of New Yorkers watching how your agency spends that money - seriously, don't screw this up.

Visit the MTA's site about the Second Avenue Subway, an East Side dream that has been around since 1929. Gothamist on the the Second Avenue Subway, plus our post yesterday that got everyone commenting.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on November 10, 2005 9:27 AM

Comments [rss]

Michael

"I'm a little disturbed by the fact that all the money is going to build a line that will only really service one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city"

The UES east of 3rd ave is not nearly the expensive neighborhood that west of 3rd (lex,park,madison,5th)

Also, f you look at a full NYC subway map and a population map next to eachother, it is BY FAR where a line is needed most.

Fredo

Sure. If money is no object, let's just go for a $10 billion bond offering next time, and build a line all the way to Albany. River crossings are *expensive*.

your sister's gay boyfriend

If they really want to go nuts, they should have it hang a right at 125th and send it to Laguardia.

Toby

I still think that it would make more sense running into the Bronx, perhaps over parts of the 6, and extending it in to Brooklyn, or if they were really ambitious, Staten Island hooking it into the SIRT.

Kevin Walsh

>>I'm a little disturbed by the fact that all the money is going to build a line that will only really service one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. Why does this train stop at the border where the luxury housing stops at 96th street?

You know what, there are tracks and track ROWs in place in southeast and southern Queens right now. All it would take is a bit of imaginative planning and old-fashioned Robert Moses don't-give-a-f!@#-what-the-NIMBYS say initiative to adapt them to give South Jamaica, St Albans and Rosedale a one-seat ride to midtown...

www.forgotten-ny.com

F. Ferrer

I think even 20212 is optimistic.

alex

ummm yea, trying waiting for the 14A/14D buses in the dead of night at 20 degrees below zero and we'll see how you'd wish there was a subway round there.

gnodyadur

THEY'RE IS KNOW ATE STREET STOP?!?!?!

your sister's gay boyfriend

Re: stops

I think current subway stops are way too close together and make trips unnecessarily longer (esp on the 6 where you have 14, 23, 28 and 33). 79th is an easy walk from either 86th or 72nd, and likewise for 8th St from 14th or Houston.

As for Alphabet City, well, you'll always have 14A and 14D buses.

craig

I will give anybody 4-1 odds that THE 2nd Ave line will NOT open in or before 20212. Seriously.

Further bets on "2012".....

which will be closer:

The year that the 2nd ave subway opens?

or

The number of people that will get rich over this project?

alex

And if it's eventually going to reach downtown Manhattan (G-d willing)why doesn't it go through Alphabet City where it's a bitch to get to especially when you have a growing population of hipsters and posers living in the area.

le ten-four

So, why are they skipping 79th St.? The plan goes straight from 72nd to 86th.

rudaydong

WHY IS THEIR NO 8th STREET STOP?!?!?!

bklyn23

The reason it's 2nd ave is because there are mostly already exisiting tunnels there.

Also, I lived in Spanish Harlem projects for a while and was packed in on the 4/5 going to work...sometimes having to wait 2-3 trains to get on. So it would benefit other people besides rich people.

asdf

The reason it's 2nd ave is because there are mostly already exisiting tunnels there.

Mark

Uh, isn't 3.8 billion divided by 33 blocks 110 million per block?

vin

I think there's already tunnels dug underneath 2nd Ave from the original plan, that's why's it's going to be on 2nd and not 1st Ave.

your sister's gay boyfriend

At the risk of coming off super anal, isn't it just the Q-extension opening in 2012 (or later)?

Jon

I'm a little disturbed by the fact that all the money is going to build a line that will only really service one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the city. Why does this train stop at the border where the luxury housing stops at 96th street? Don't get me wrong, I've been a big proponent of the 2nd Ave line, but whats the point if it doesn't help the lower income people in this city?

paki

There should be a referendum on the MTA first; a referendum on funding for public transportation second.

The MTA is a big part of the problem. I wonder if Bloomberg will be bold enough to take them on in his second term.