http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#4515 The MTA has agreed to delay the construction of certain entrances to the 2nd Ave Subway until a full environmental review can be completed. Two of the entrances in question are on 72nd and 86th Streets, which are currently mid-block entrances. The MTA will study alternatives to the current design proposals. 2008-07-31 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#4444 The Senate Appropriations Committee has allocated $250 million in funding for the Second Avenue subway, says Senator Charles Schumer. The first phase of the project, which is currently under construction, is slated for completion in 2013. 2008-07-11 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#4407 Many major construction projects in the City have now been put on hold due to a cement truck driver's strike. Negotiations were unsuccessful yesterday, causing the union to strike which halted construction on projects already facing delays and budget issues. Continued negotiations are not expected to occur again until after the holiday weekend at the earliest. 2008-07-02 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#4372 Business owners on Second Avenue, where construction on the Second Avenue Subway line has been ongoing, are asking Mayor Bloomberg to support state legislation that would give them relief to the economic strife that they say has been caused by the construction. They say that about half of the businesses in the construction area between 91st and 96th Streets have closed down and that remaining businesses have seen significant profit losses, prompting lay-offs of employees and potentially more closures. The legislation, if passed, would give $4 million to the Second Avenue businesses to help them attract more customers. 2008-06-21 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#4229 With the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently publicizing its inability to finish the Fulton Street Transit Center, some fear that the Second Avenue Subway project could end up not being completed either. The project has already begun construction in the Upper East Side, demolishing three miles worth of buildings, stores, and restaurants. The New York Post asserts that The MTA underestimated the cost for Phase 1, which was budgeted $4.34 billion in the capital-budget summary released in February. The newspaper also claims that the timeline for the project, with a 2013 completion date, is overly optimistic. It calls for action from Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson to save the project. 2008-05-15 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3862 Eliot Sander, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), spoke about the future of the MTA and transit in New York City at the first annual “State of the MTA” address. Sander highlighted the progress of the 2nd Avenue Subway and said that revenue from congestion pricing was a “critical piece” in planning for the future of transit operations in the city. 2008-03-04 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3864 The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is planning to reconsider a proposed entrance on 72nd Street for the 2nd Avenue Subway after two lawsuits were filed by area residents. The residents are urging the MTA to complete another environmental impact study before moving forward on the project. 2008-03-04 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3845 Riders expressed frustration at the MTA’s announcement that the Second Avenue subway line project would again be delayed. According to MTA CEO Elliot Sander, the further delay will save money in the long run by allowing the authority to sign smaller contracts. The new schedule on the Second Avenue line is part of a new capital plan that the MTA has will submit to the legislature for approval. The new plan includes a budget increase, as well as new schedules for several other projects. 2008-02-28 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3836 Because of rising construction costs, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will be $1.5 billion over budget in its four big construction projects: the 2nd Avenue Subway, East Side Access, the Fulton Street Transit Center and rebuilding the South Ferry terminal. Because of the budget problems, both the 2nd Ave. Subway and the East Side Access project have been delayed. They were both scheduled to open in 2013, but MTA now projects that they will open in 2015. Although the MTA’s five-year capital rebuilding program, which includes all these projects, may be cut back, the MTA does expect to pass the current plan along to legislators. 2008-02-27 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3843 Rising construction costs and $9 billion gap in the MTA’s capital plan are causing delays in several capital projects, including the 2nd Avenue subway line, the East Side Access project, and the Fulton Street Transit Center. In response, the agency has drafted a new capital plan that includes $4.5 million in bonds from the proposed congestion pricing plan and will expand the budget from $21.3 to $29.5 billion. 2008-02-27 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3829 The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is expected to unveil a new capital budget plan that could end up costing about $28 billion for major projects such as the 2nd Avenue subway and other smaller transit initiatives. There is some concern that the MTA will not be able to levy from federal, state and local officials the kind of money they need to implement their capital budget plan. Congestion pricing advocates are using potential shortfalls in the capital budget as an opportunity to push their plan which could generate $500 million annually for the MTA. Included in the capital plan is $1 billion to begin the implementation of the second segment of the 2nd Ave Subway. 2008-02-26 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3760 Many local business owners have been forced to deal with reduced foot traffic, lower revenue, garbage pileups and other construction nuisances as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) builds the 2nd Avenue Subway. Marcelo Ronchini, owner of Nina’s Argentinean Pizzeria on 91st Street & 2nd Avenue has seen up to a 23 percent reduction in revenue and has had to reduce the hours of his staff since the construction of Second Avenue Subway. 2008-02-10 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3720 In the $3.1 trillion budget presented to Congress by President Bush this week, $211 million was included for the East Side Access Project that will connect the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Station on the East side. In addition, Bush's budget includes $277 million for construction of the 2nd Avenue Subway. Congress will now review President Bush's budget. 2008-02-05 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3681 The East Side Access Project, 2nd Avenue Subway and the Number 7 Extension line will all be reviewed in the coming month by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in an effort to cut costs without compromising the Authority’s transportation goals. The MTA recently scaled back plans for the Fulton Street Transit Center glass entranceway because of costs. High construction and materials costs have lead recently to these transportation projects to be over budget and behind schedule. The three keys projects – East Side Access, 2nd Avenue Subway and the Number 7 Extension – have a combined budget of $12.5 billion. MTA Executive Director Eliot Sander has said that cutbacks will hopefully not directly affect riders. 2008-01-29 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=6#3665 Two business owners on 2nd Avenue on the blocks where construction has begun on the 2nd Avenue Subway claim to have been given little to no information about the plans for construction of a new subway line when they signed their long-term leases in 2006. Both some now worry that lagging business due to the inconvenience and noise of construction may force them to shut down before the projected 2014 completion of the line. Many business owners in the area claim that their sales have dipped up to 35% since construction began. Jeremy Soffin, a spokesman for the MTA, said that information has been shared with business owners and residents via letters, public presentations and personal visits. 2008-01-27 00:00:00