The Second Avenue Subway project is a long-term plan to provide more accessible public transportation to the densely populated East Side of Manhattan. The four-phase plan, which began in 2007, aims to improve travel times and increase rail capacity in an area that has long been underserved by public transportation.
Phase 2, which is currently underway, is particularly interesting because it adapts pre-existing tunnels built in the 1970s. It will extend the MTA's Second Avenue Line 1.76 miles from 96th Street to 125th Street and add three new stations at 106th, 116th, and 125th Streets.
The cost of Phase 1, which opened in early 2017, was $4.5 billion. While this figure may sound large, it is necessary to address the problem of overcrowding on the existing Lexington Avenue subway line. This is especially true since two elevated train lines were taken down in the 1940s and 1950s, leaving the Lexington Avenue line to accommodate a growing population.
Once complete, the four phases of the project will extend the Second Avenue line 8.5 miles from 125th Street and Lexington Avenue in Harlem to Hanover Square in the Financial District. This will not only add much-needed capacity to the Manhattan subway system but will also reduce crowding throughout the borough.
The entire Second Avenue Subway project is estimated to cost $17 billion. While some might criticize the expense, the infrastructure improvements are essential for the long-term health of New York City. This is especially true as the population continues to grow and the need for efficient public transportation increases.
The Second Avenue Subway project is sure to be remembered as one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in New York City's history. Although challenging, this project will benefit many New Yorkers for years to come.
