New York Construction Report staff writer
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is now soliciting bids for the first construction contract for the second phase of the project.
The contract will be solicited as a Design-Bid-Build A+B contract, which incentivizes proposers to compete on both cost and time needed to complete the work. In 2022, MTA Construction and Development saved more than $100 million on A+B contract awards compared to estimates. The solicitation has been posted, and a contract is expected to be awarded this fall, with work to begin by the end of the year.
“This first contract of Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 exemplifies the MTA’s ability to adapt lessons learned from past projects and replicate cost containment measures for better, faster, and cheaper project delivery,” said MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “We are excited to advance procurement for this transformative project, which will create a more connected and integrated MTA system in East Harlem than ever before.”
Addressing utility relocation requirements upfront will reduce the risk of unexpected costs or delays later as construction progresses. The first contract will also include temporary streetscape modifications that will be required during construction, including new bike lanes to replace those that will be impacted by construction on Second Avenue, and building remediation in preparation for future contracts for the new subway station at 106 Street.
Additional cost containment initiatives in Phase 2 include reuse of a tunnel segment that was built in the 1970s from 110 Street to 120 Street along Second Avenue, early real estate acquisition, adoption of best value contract structures like A+B contracts, reduction in back-of-house and ancillary space, and close coordination of contracts.
At the announcement this week, the MTA also unveiled new conceptual renderings of the proposed stations for the extension, providing future riders with a first-ever glimpse into the potential station interior and exterior designs. The draft renderings are subject to further design development and are available here.
“As part of my administration’s efforts to advance transit equity across New York State, the Second Avenue Subway project will expand critical public transportation service to East Harlem, creating more opportunity for residents,” Gov. Hochul said in a statement. “We remain committed to keeping this long-envisioned project moving along swiftly for East Harlem, and I am proud to see it moving one step closer to reality.”
The scope of work for the first contract for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 will include critical utility relocation, laying the groundwork for advancing construction of three future stations and necessary system infrastructure.
The second phase of the project will extend Q train service from 96 Street north to 125 Street and then west on 125 Street to Park Avenue, approximately 1.5 miles in total. There will be two new stations at 106 Street and 116 Street on Second Ave, and a direct passenger connection with the existing 125 Street subway station on the Lexington Avenue subway line. Phase 2 will also feature an entrance at Park Avenue to allow convenient transfers to the Metro-North Railroad 125 Street Station.
Before he was forced to resign, then Governor Cuomo approved $2 billion dollars towards this project. He also approved $2 billion towards an AirTrain from Woodside to Laguardia airport similar to the existing AirTrain feom Jamaica to JFK airport Where is that money and when will that project be started?? Hochul has some nerve claiming credit for 2nd Ave. That worthless,useless c*** shouldn’t even be in office.