MTA Considers Crosstown Subway at 125th Street in Harlem

What you should know

The MTA says a crosstown subway at 125th Street in Harlem is now on the table, if they can find the funding. On Wednesday, transit officials talked about plans to extend the Second Avenue subway not just north , but also west across 125th Street. Officials are reviewing a plan that has been in place for years: extending the Q train from 96th Street north to East Harlem and reaching 125th Street to extend it toward West.

NEW YORK — It’s no longer a pipe dream!

The MTA says a crosstown subway at 125th Street in Harlem is now on the table, if they can find the funding.

On Wednesday, transit officials discussed plans to extend the Second Avenue subway not only north, but also west across 125th Street.

“I think it’s a great idea to make it more accessible for bikers and people. That would be great,” said Tia Hart, a subway rider.

It’s an idea that’s now getting the attention of top MTA executives, with MTA Capital Construction president Jamie Torres-Springer describing the potential project as “the possible expansion of the Second Avenue subway, not southward.” but west along 125th Street.”

Officials are reviewing a plan that has been in place for years: extending the Q train from 96th Street north to East Harlem and extending it west to 125th Street.

This would mark a major turn for a subway system famous for being stagnant.

“For 100 years the system has barely grown,” said MTA Chairman Janno Lieber.

However, the idea has some pretty big obstacles. First, the MTA has some expensive priorities and more importantly, such as flood prevention, an issue that was recently highlighted with last week’s storm.

Then there’s the congestion charge: the controversial tolling plan with billions of dollars in funding promised to keep trains running and signals in good repair (this won’t even start until next year).

“We’re putting this on the table so the discussion can begin about how much we can fund in light of the needs,” Leiber said.

The initial price tag for a 125th Street widening would be $7.5 billion.

The MTA is also moving forward with what is called the interborough express: A $5 billion activation of existing tracks between Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Jackson Heights, Queens.

Leiber said the MTA should know in the next 15 months whether the plan to extend the Q line train west is on track.

2023-10-05 21:37:03
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