MTA Finds $300M Savings in East Harlem Subway Expansion

Efficient station designs and 'cut and cover' construction method contribute to cost reduction, but funding from congestion pricing program still needed.

• The MTA could save up to $300 million on its Second Avenue subway expansion into East Harlem with more efficient station designs, bringing the price tag of the project down to $6.6 billion from $6.9 billion.
• The savings are expected to come from shrinking the proposed 125th Street-Lexington Avenue station and potentially downsizing or eliminating the mezzanine at the proposed 116th Street station.
• The MTA has awarded the first contract for Phase 2 of the Second Ave. subway, a $182 million contract for utility relocation in support of the planned new station at E. 106th St.
• The MTA plans to use the “cut and cover” method to build a portion of the subway tunnel from East 105th Street to East 110th Street, which is cheaper than using underground boring machines.
• The MTA is still in a holding pattern for much of the work on the extension, as it needs money from its planned congestion pricing program in order to pay for the work.

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