New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is advancing on Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway with the solicitation of the first contract for construction of the future extension of the Second Avenue Subway to 125th Street in Harlem.

The extension will deliver transportation equity to East Harlem, according to the agency's news release.

MTA Unveils Proposed Station Renderings

As part of this announcement, the MTA also unveiled new conceptual renderings of the proposed stations for the extension.

The draft renderings are subject to further design development.

"As part of my administration's efforts to advance transit equity across New York State, the Second Avenue Subway project will expand critical public transportation service to East Harlem, creating more opportunity for residents," Hochul said. "We remain committed to keeping this long-envisioned project moving along swiftly for East Harlem, and I am proud to see it moving one step closer to reality."

Second Avenue Subway Phase 2

The scope of work for the first contract for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 incorporates lessons learned from Phase 1 and will involve utility relocation, laying the groundwork for advancing the construction of three future stations and necessary system infrastructure.

The contract will be solicited as a Design-Bid-Build A+B contract, which incentivizes proposers to compete on both the cost and time needed to complete the work.

In 2022, MTA Construction and Development saved more than $100 million on A+B contract awards compared to estimates. The solicitation has been posted, and a contract is expected to be awarded this fall, with work to begin by the end of the year.

"Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway is an investment in transit equity and a truly life-changing project," said MTA CEO Janno Lieber. "The East Harlem community has waited decades for it, and this expansion will serve over 100,000 riders daily, connecting Harlemites to jobs, education, and opportunity throughout the region."

The second phase of the project will extend the Q train service from 96 Street north to 125 Street and then west on 125 Street to Park Avenue, approximately 1.5 miles in total.

There will be two new stations at 106 Street and 116 Street on Second Ave, and a direct passenger connection with the existing 125 Street subway station on the Lexington Avenue subway line.

Phase 2 will also feature an entrance at Park Avenue to allow convenient transfers to the Metro-North Railroad 125 Street Station.

Each station will have above-ground ancillary buildings that house ventilation, mechanical, and electrical equipment, as well as space for possible ground-floor retail and community uses.

The expansion will serve an additional 100,000 daily riders and provide three new ADA-accessible stations.