MTA begins digging second avenue subway in East Harlem

The MTA approves a near 2 billion contract to start major construction on the East Harlem leg of the Second Avenue Subway.

MTA begins digging 2nd Ave subway in East Harlem fifty years after project halted

The MTA board has approved a near 2 billion contract to begin construction on the East Harlem extension of the Second Avenue Subway. The work covers boring a new tunnel from 120th to 125th streets, rehabilitating an abandoned 1970s tunnel, and building two new stations at 116th Street and 125th Street. The project aims to serve around 110,000 daily riders and will employ a state of the art tunnel boring machine that will be used to excavate and line the tunnel. Street level work is set to start in September with heavy civil construction beginning in January.

The extension is a milestone after a prolonged delay that lasted more than five decades since the 1975 city fiscal crisis halted work. The project is estimated to cost 7.7 billion and represents one of the most expensive subway projects on a per mile basis. The award covers tunnels and systems, while station construction will come in later contracts. A 20 percent local hiring goal is planned for East Harlem residents to boost the neighborhood’s economy. Some residents have already received vacancy notices under eminent domain to make way for the line. Officials say the project could connect later to the A, B, C and D lines via a westward extension, depending on future plans.

This milestone shows political will to push a long delayed transit project forward, while underscoring the financial and social tradeoffs of mega infrastructure. The high price tag is framed by backers as a productivity and accessibility gain, yet the real test will be how well the benefits reach current residents and local businesses. The 20 percent local hiring target is a concrete step toward shared benefit, but it will require real job pipelines and training to translate promises into steady work.

Beyond the neighborhood, the project signals how the city plans to balance capital projects with neighborhood stability. Eminent domain actions and disruption risk eroding trust if not handled with clear timelines and accountability. The future connection to other subway lines could reshape commuting patterns and property values, but without robust protections for affordability and small businesses the gains may be uneven. The outcome will shape how New York approaches future rail megaprojects and how communities are treated during long, costly builds.

Highlights

The city moves from promise to practice, while a neighborhood watches the first steps from the curb.