The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved a major tunneling contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, advancing plans to extend the Q train from 96 Street to 125 Street. The project aims to improve transit access for East Harlem residents by constructing a new tunnel from 116 Street to 125 Street and preparing space for future stations.
The awarded contract, valued at $1.972 billion, goes to Connect Plus Partners, a joint venture between Halmar International and FCC Construction. This is the second of four contracts required for the extension. Crews will use large tunnel-boring machines operating between 35 and 120 feet below Second Avenue. Early work is scheduled to begin later this year, with heavy construction starting in early 2026 and tunnel boring expected in 2027.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “It’s been a century since the people of East Harlem were promised the new subway they deserve — and we are finally getting it done. East Harlem is one of the most transit-reliant neighborhoods in New York, but every day, tens of thousands of commuters lack subway access. The Second Avenue Subway will change everything; it will shorten commutes for over 100,000 daily riders and make East Harlem more vibrant than ever. Awarding this contract means that the time for promises to this community is over and the time for building is here — next stop 125 Street!”
The project’s total budget stands at $6.99 billion and remains on schedule with an anticipated revenue service date in September 2032. Funding comes partly from revenues generated by New York City’s Congestion Relief Zone tolling program.
According to MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, “This is a meaningful step forward not only for the project but everyone in East Harlem and Central Harlem. Locals have waited almost 100 long years for their promised subway extension. Thanks to investments from Governor Hochul and our partners in Washington, today the new MTA is moving forward with the largest tunneling contract in agency history, but – more important – with a project that pencils at the lowest cost per rider of any heavy rail project in America.”
Cost-saving measures include reusing existing tunnels built during earlier efforts in the 1970s as well as improved contracting practices such as early utility relocation work—an approach that helps avoid unexpected costs or delays due to New York City’s complex underground utility networks.
Jamie Torres-Springer, President of MTA Construction and Development said: “After generations of promises, the new MTA is delivering. Today’s contract award brings us closer to world-class transit service in East Harlem. Using lessons learned from Phase 1, we’re excited to keep our momentum going and complete this contract better, faster, and cheaper than ever.”
Phase 2 includes three accessible stations at 106 Street, 116 Street, and 125 Street within East Harlem—a neighborhood where about seventy percent of residents rely on public transportation—and aims to reduce travel times by up to twenty minutes while serving an additional estimated ridership of over one hundred thousand daily passengers.
The first construction contract was awarded in January 2024 for relocating utilities along Second Avenue between 105 Street and 110 Street at what will be the future site of the new station at 106 Street.
Subsequent contracts will cover construction work at other station sites as well as fitting out all three stations with necessary systems such as trackwork, signals, power supply infrastructure, communications equipment—and are currently either under procurement or design stages.
Federal support has played a significant role: Senator Charles Schumer noted securing $3.4 billion in federal funding—the largest Capital Investment Grant at its time—for advancing this expansion effort.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand commented on ongoing efforts: “East and Central Harlem residents and commuters have waited long enough for the Second Avenue Subway extension… I’m proud to have helped secure the federal dollars that are making this expansion possible…”
Other local leaders expressed support emphasizing job creation goals—including a target that twenty percent of hiring come from within East Harlem—as well as improvements expected both economically through increased employment opportunities during construction phases (over seventy thousand jobs projected) and through enhanced connectivity once operational.
Upon completion Phase Two will connect directly with existing lines including transfers available at Park Avenue’s Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem-125th Station alongside connections with multiple subway routes—improving overall mobility across Manhattan’s east side communities.
