The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced the Second Avenue Subway project, the largest expansion of the New York City subway network in generations, reached major new milestones in its on-time, on-budget progress to serve customers on Manhattan’s East Side by the end of 2016.

All blasting operations for Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway Project are complete and heavy construction to excavate and create the 96th St station reached substantial completion.

“This is a significant milestone, and one which I am sure will be welcomed by all of our Second Avenue community neighbors,” said Michael Horodniceanu, president, MTA capital construction. “We are committed to continuing the progress on this project, which will be an enormous benefit to the entire community.”

The contractor Skanska/Traylor Joint Venture will continue to install waterproofing and steel reinforcement to complete the concreting of the underground cavern, entrances and ancillaries for the future 86th Street Station. The follow-on finishes contract, which will complete the mezzanine and platforms; station entrances; ancillary buildings; and the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems for the station, was awarded to Schiavone/Picone Joint Venture in June 2013.

The $4.45 billion project to extend the Q Subway Line Icon Line along Second Avenue is the largest expansion of the subway system in generations. The subway line, with new stations at 72nd Street, 86th Street and 96th Street, is expected to open for service in December 2016.