New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is advancing the fourth and final construction contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, marking a major milestone toward completing the extension of Q service to 125 St in East Harlem.

After this Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the MTA plans to issue a Request for Proposals to qualified contractors by the end of the year and expects to select a contractor in mid-2027.

Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.

Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway

With the first three contracts progressing concurrently, the project budgeted at $6.968 billion is expected to be fully completed by the fall of 2032. Congestion relief revenue and $3.4 billion in federal funding make the project possible.

After Phase 2 is completed, the Q service will run north from 96 St to 125 St and Lexington Ave, an extension of about 1.5 miles with three new stations at 106 St, 116 St, and 125 St.

In addition to providing the full systems fit-out for the three fully accessible stations at 106 St, 116 St, and 125 St, and connecting tunnel segments, this fourth contract includes work to connect the new 125 St Station to the existing 125 St 4 5 6 station, and an entrance at Park Ave, one block over, enabling convenient transfers to Metro-North’s Harlem-125 St Station and M60 Select Bus Service with service to LaGuardia Airport.

Major work in this last construction contract includes:

• Structural work: Construct entrance canopies, station platforms, and six above-ground ancillary buildings to house ventilation, mechanical, and electrical equipment, as well as space for possible ground-floor retail and community uses.
• Mechanical, electrical and plumbing work: Install HVAC, smoke management, fire protection, station and facility power, lighting, plumbing and drainage, and related systems.
• Accessibility work: Install 22 elevators and 20 escalators across the three stations and facilities.
• Communications and security systems work: Install public address systems, customer information screens, Help Point intercoms, Wi-Fi, radio, fire and emergency alarms, and security cameras.
• Track, signal, and CBTC work: Install track, third rail, traction power, wayside signal equipment, train detection, communication infrastructure throughout the stations and tunnels.
• Station finishes: Install architectural finishes, station lighting, signage and wayfinding, fare arrays, customer service facilities, and artwork.
• Testing and commissioning work: Test, integrate, and commission all systems installed.
• Site restoration: Complete permanent utility connections and restore streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, and other affected areas within the Phase 2 project limits.

Phase 2 Construction Progress

The first contract, awarded in January 2024, covers utility relocation work at the future 106 St Station. The project is about 60% complete and is expected to finish by summer 2027, MTA officials said.  

The second contract, awarded in September 2025, includes construction of two tunnels, rehabilitation of existing tunnels, construction of the new 116 St Station box, seven shafts for future ancillary buildings and station entrances, and the structural shells for the 116 St and 125 St stations. The final design is more than 50% complete. The tunnel boring machine (TBM) is currently under construction, and crews are preparing the TBM launch site for excavation. Excavation of the 125 St entrance shaft has also begun. The contract is forecast to reach substantial completion in September 2029.

The third contract, awarded in April 2026, includes excavation and construction of the 106 St structural shell, tunnel connections, ancillary buildings and station entrances, as well as utility work. The contract is expected to reach substantial completion in the third quarter of 2030.