New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a major overhaul of plans to extend the Second Avenue subway, moving the line west along 125th Street instead of its traditional path down Second Avenue. The decision marks a significant shift in decades-long efforts to build a subway line connecting the Upper East Side to the Financial District.
According to Hochul's proposal, the new line will include three new stations on 125th Street, with one stop at Broadway in Morningside Heights. This change is expected to provide a critical connection for residents of Harlem, who currently face challenges accessing the Upper East Side and east-west travel options.
The westward expansion is part of Governor Hochul's "State of the State" address and comes as the MTA works on building three new stops in East Harlem that will bring the northern end of the Q train up from East 96th Street to East 125th Street. The project, which has an estimated cost of $7.7 billion, is expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars in future costs and reduce travel time for daily riders projected to benefit.
The change marks a departure from over a century of planning by New York transportation officials, who had sought to build a subway line along Second Avenue. However, the new plan has sparked concerns among community advocates, who worry that gentrification could price out long-time residents in Harlem as the area is transformed by construction.
MTA officials have previously acknowledged parts of the tunnel boring machine will stay below East 125th Street, but some community members are concerned about the potential impact on small businesses and local residents. Governor Hochul's office has stated that the state will cover the cost of design work, which must be approved by the Legislature as part of the budget.
The project is expected to wrap up in 2032, with completion of the second phase of construction scheduled for then. When completed, the new line will provide a major upgrade to public transportation services in Harlem and surrounding areas, but residents remain concerned about the impact on their community.
According to Hochul's proposal, the new line will include three new stations on 125th Street, with one stop at Broadway in Morningside Heights. This change is expected to provide a critical connection for residents of Harlem, who currently face challenges accessing the Upper East Side and east-west travel options.
The westward expansion is part of Governor Hochul's "State of the State" address and comes as the MTA works on building three new stops in East Harlem that will bring the northern end of the Q train up from East 96th Street to East 125th Street. The project, which has an estimated cost of $7.7 billion, is expected to save hundreds of millions of dollars in future costs and reduce travel time for daily riders projected to benefit.
The change marks a departure from over a century of planning by New York transportation officials, who had sought to build a subway line along Second Avenue. However, the new plan has sparked concerns among community advocates, who worry that gentrification could price out long-time residents in Harlem as the area is transformed by construction.
MTA officials have previously acknowledged parts of the tunnel boring machine will stay below East 125th Street, but some community members are concerned about the potential impact on small businesses and local residents. Governor Hochul's office has stated that the state will cover the cost of design work, which must be approved by the Legislature as part of the budget.
The project is expected to wrap up in 2032, with completion of the second phase of construction scheduled for then. When completed, the new line will provide a major upgrade to public transportation services in Harlem and surrounding areas, but residents remain concerned about the impact on their community.
This plan is gonna change the game for Harlem, but at what cost? 
Those $7.7 billion bucks better be worth it if they're gonna push out all the small businesses and long-time residents. I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but you gotta consider the people who've been living there for decades. What's the guarantee that gentrification won't happen on steroids? 
At least the MTA is trying to save some money in the long run, so fingers crossed that all this hassle will be worth it when it's done.
. the state is tryin to cover the cost of design work, but thats not the same as addressin the root issue, you feel? what about all the small businesses that might get priced out or displaced? 
! Just when I thought the MTA couldn't mess up any more, they go and change plans on us again 
. West along 125th Street? Are they kidding me?! That's gonna push out all the small businesses and artists that make Harlem so awesome 
. And what about the people who've been living there for decades? They're just gonna get priced out of their own community 
. I get that we need an upgrade, but can't we just do it in a way that actually benefits everyone?! This feels like another example of city planners making decisions without listening to the people they affect 
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but i can see why community advocates are worried about gentrification & impact on small biz & local residents 
so now we gotta plan a whole other day for that. And you know what's crazy? How much time you waste on stuff like that? Like, how many hours do you spend deciding which trail to take? 
And have you ever noticed how the leaves always seem to change color at exactly the same time every year? It's wild! 
Anyway, back to this subway thing... I'm kinda stoked they're making changes and all, but also a little worried about gentrification. You know, it's one of those things where you want progress, but not at the expense of people who've lived there for ages 
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, extending the subway line along 125th Street is gonna be a game changer for harlem residents. i mean, who needs to travel all the way down second avenue when u can just hop off at broadway in morningside heights? it's about time we get some better connectivity out here 
and with it comes more affordable housing options 
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. can't wait to see this project wrap up by 2032 
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the concern about gentrification is valid tho, i mean whats gonna happen to all the small businesses and long-time residents when new construction comes in? 
i wish gov Hochul had explained it a bit more clearly how they plan to make sure ppl arent priced out 
So, Kathy Hochul's decided to shake things up by moving the Second Avenue subway line west instead of down Second Avenue. Like, what's next? Are we gonna put the new subway stops on the moon or something? 
But seriously, I get it, they want to make it easier for people in Harlem to get to the Upper East Side, but come on, didn't they think that one through before announcing the whole thing? 
And don't even get me started on gentrification... like, isn't that a pretty big elephant in the room already? 
Anyway, I guess it's all good, the state will cover the costs and all that jazz... 
they're gonna have 3 new stations on 125th street tho that's dope 
. I just hope it all comes together smoothly without any major hiccups