New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has issued a Request for Qualifications for the fourth and final construction contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway.
It is the largest of the construction contracts for the project and includes the construction of infrastructure for three new stations, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion.
In addition to providing the full systems fit-out for the three new stations, and connecting tunnel segments, the contract includes work to connect the new 125 St Station to the existing 125 St 4 5 6 station, and an entrance at Park Ave, enabling transfers to Metro-North’s Harlem-125 St Station and M60 Select Bus Service with service to LaGuardia Airport.
MTA anticipates selecting a contractor in mid-2027 and for works to begin later in the year.
The Phase 2 expansion will extend the Q service 2.4km north from 96 St to 125 St in East Harlem. It will feature three new stations at 106 St, 116 St and 125 St. The US$6.968bn (€6bn) project is due to be completed by autumn 2032.
Work is also progressing on the first three contracts.
CAC Industries has completed approximately 60 per cent of utility relocation at the future 106 St Station and is expected to fully complete in summer next year.
Final design for the tunnelling contract is more than 50 per cent complete. The TBM is being manufactured and crews are preparing the TBM launch site for excavation. Excavation of the 125 St entrance shaft has also begun.
Connect Plus Partners, a Halmar International and FCC Construction joint venture, will deliver the tunnelling contract, which includes the construction of two tunnels, rehabilitation of existing tunnels, construction of the new 116 St Station box, seven shafts for future ancillary buildings and station entrances, and the structural shells for the 116 St and 125 St stations. The contract is forecast to reach substantial completion in September 2029.
A Skanska/Traylor Bros/Walsh Construction joint venture is delivering the design and construction of the new station structural shells between 105th Street and 110th Street to accommodate the future 106th Street Station. The contract includes construction of structural tie-ins to existing tunnels, support of excavation and earthworks, and construction of at- and below-grade structures for two station entrances. This package is due to reach substantial completion in the third quarter of 2030.
Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway will provide a long-promised service to East Harlem. In the 1920s, the Second System proposal, which ultimately became the IND subway system, included service on Second Avenue. In 1948, New York City voters approved bonding intended to build the Second Avenue Subway, but it was put on hold after the start of the Korean War. In 1972, construction on the line finally commenced in East Harlem, but was abandoned in 1975 during the city’s fiscal crisis. Sections of the tunnelling constructed in the 1970s will be adapted and used in Phase 2, including for the 116 St station.
