Project Update

As of the middle of 2008, the Second Avenue Subway project has passed several significant milestones and construction of the new line has begun. A comprehensive environmental analysis of a full-length Second Avenue Subway, compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, has been concluded. The analysis, done in concert with extensive public outreach, was followed by public hearings and, in April 2004, the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) document. The FEIS addresses questions and comments raised during the public hearing process. It remains the single most comprehensive source of information about the project, although, as noted below, some important changes to the design have occurred subsequent to its publication. In July 2004, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued a Record of Decision, which states that the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act have been satisfied for the Second Avenue Subway Project.

The MTA has also completed the Preliminary Engineering (PE) work on the full-length subway, during which the merits of all configurations and designs were investigated. Those preliminary investigations included an in-depth analysis of all components, their interrelationships, and costs. Conceptual designs were more fully developed to allow for a more accurate estimate of project costs and impacts.

In April 2006, the FTA authorized the MTA to begin the Final Design of Phase One of the project. Final Design is currently well underway. During Final Design, final drawings, technical specifications, and contract documents required to issue construction contract bids are being prepared. In March 2007, the MTA awarded the first construction contract for building Phase One of the subway.

Phase One subway service, which is expected to begin in 2015 and is projected to carry nearly 200,000 weekday riders, will be an extension of the existing service to 96th Street and 2nd Avenue. From its new terminal station at 96th Street, service will operate along Second Avenue, stopping at the new 86th and 72nd Street stations, then divert west into the existing 63rd Street line tunnel to the Lexington Avenue/63rd Street Station, where passengers will have the option of transferring to the line. The route will continue west under Central Park on tracks that are currently not used for passenger service and head south to the 57th Street/7th Avenue Station, which at present is the northern terminus of the line. South of the 57th Street/7th Avenue Station, service will follow its current route, making stops at express stations along Seventh Avenue and Broadway before crossing the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn. Passengers traveling to Lower Manhattan on this route will be able to transfer for and local service to destinations south of Canal Street.

Funding for Phase One has been identified.

Construction Contract One, which was awarded in March 2007, includes construction of the tunnels between 92nd and 63rd Streets, construction of the launch box for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) at 92nd to 95th Streets, and construction of access shafts at 69th and 72nd Streets. The first surface work for Contract One began in April 2007 in the vicinity of the launch box, 91st to 95th Street. Contract One is expected to be about 45 months in duration. Subsequent contracts will be for the construction of the stations at 96th, 72nd, and 86th Streets, and the construction of 3rd Avenue entrances to the existing 63rd/Lexington station. Description of the construction work underway can be found by clicking on the Construction Update Page.

Please Note: While the FEIS remains the single most comprehensive overview of the Second Avenue Subway project, there are some changes that have occurred in the project since its publication. Of particular importance are some changes involving property takings. As we progress through the Final Engineering stage, gain more detailed information and continue to refine the design, there may be other changes. In this process we are striving to further minimize the impacts on residential and commercial spaces. Therefore, for the most up-to-date information on the project, interested parties should direct any inquiries to the Second Avenue Subway hotline (646-252-2670) or by sending an email to the Project Team via this web site. In addition, we will post the public presentations we have made on various aspects of the project – station entrances, construction methods, acquisition of property. You can view them on this web site (see: “Documents and Presentations”). Please note that the presentations reflect the project as it is evolving. Remember: Call or email us for the latest information.

The following are some of the more notable changes in the project since the publication of the FEIS in 2004:

FEIS

Current Design

Construction access shaft on East 66th St.

66th St. Shaft no longer required for tunnel construction.

Acquisition of 3 buildings, SE corner of E.86th St and 2nd Ave.

304 E. 86th St.
1656 Second Ave./300-302 E. 86th St.
1654 Second Ave.

Entrance on SE corner eliminated – buildings not required.

Acquisition of building SW corner E83rd St. and 2nd Ave.

1597 Second Ave/250 E. 83rd St.

Replaced by acquisition of building on NW corner of E.83rd St.

1601 Second Ave/247 E. 83rd St.

Partial acquisition of Food Emporium retail space for entrance

305 East 86th Street

Various alternatives are under review in accordance with the National Environmental Policies Act (NEPA).

Acquisition on W side of Second Ave. between 86th and 87th Sts. of portion of landscaped area of high-rise residential building.

250 E. 87th St./1659 Second Ave.

Replaced by acquisition on W side of Second Ave. between 86th and 87th Sts. of commercial space (Chase Bank and a portion of Duane Reade) and reduction in portion of landscaped area of high-rise residential building.

250 E. 87th St./1659 Second Ave.

Acquisition of 2-story restaurant on E side of Second Ave. between 92nd and 93rd Sts.

1770 Second Ave.

Replaced by acquisition of additional area of vacant lot on NE corner of 93rd St

1800 Second Ave.

Partial acquisition of 2-story retail space on E side of Lexington Ave. between 63rd and 64th Streets

835 Lexington Ave.

Property at 835 Lexington Ave. no longer required.

Partial acquisition of plaza and portion of supermarket in basement of high-rise residential building on NW corner of Third Ave. and 63rd St.

188 E. 64th St.

Acquisition of a small portion of the plaza area only; portion of supermarket no longer required.

188 E. 64th St.

Acquisition of a portion of ground floor chain pharmacy in high-rise residential building on NE corner of 2nd Ave. and 72nd St. for entrance.

305 East 72nd Street

Various alternatives are under review in accordance with the National Environmental Policies Act (NEPA).

Public Meetings

The SAS Project Team has been and will continue to be making presentations and answering questions on various aspects of the project at the public meetings of the Second Avenue Subway Task Force of Community Board 8. To find out about the next scheduled meeting of the SAS Task Force, visit CB8’s website, www.cb8m.com