116th Street station (Second Avenue Subway) explained

Type:future
116 Street
Accessible:yes-->
Address:East 116th Street & Second Avenue
New York, NY 10029
Borough:Manhattan
Locale:East Harlem
Division:IND
Line:IND Second Avenue Line
Service Custom:Future
Platforms:1 island platform (planned)
Tracks:2 (planned)
Structure:Underground
Code:473-->
Hide Traffic:yes
Next North:Harlem–125th Street

future

Next South:106th Street

future

116th Street is a planned station along the IND Second Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. It would be located at the intersection of Second Avenue and 116th Street in East Harlem, Manhattan. Proposed since 1968, the station is expected to be built as part of Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway. When opened, it will initially be served by the Q train, with the T train providing service when Phase 3 of the line is built.

History

Background

The Second Avenue Line was originally proposed in 1919 as part of a massive expansion of what would become the Independent Subway System (IND).[1] Work on the line never commenced, as the Great Depression crushed the economy.[2] Numerous plans for the Second Avenue Subway appeared throughout the 20th century, but these were usually deferred due to lack of funds. In anticipation of the never-built new subway line, the Second and Third Avenue elevated lines were demolished in 1942 and 1955, respectively.[3] [4] The Second Avenue Elevated had a station at 117th Street,[5] and the Third Avenue Elevated had a stop on nearby Third Avenue at 116th Street.[6]

Unrealized proposals

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) proposed a full-length Second Avenue Subway as part of its 1968 Program for Action. The line was to be built in two phases—the first phase from 126th to 34th Streets, the second phase from 34th to Whitehall Streets.[7] [8] The line's planned stops in Manhattan, spaced farther apart than those on existing subway lines, proved controversial; the Second Avenue line was criticized as a "rich man's express, circumventing the Lower East Side with its complexes of high-rise low- and middle-income housing and slums in favor of a silk stocking route." There was to be no station at 116th Street, but the next station north would be at 125th Street and the next station south would be at 106th Street.[9]

A combination of Federal and State funding was obtained, and despite the controversy over the number of stops and route, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 27, 1972, at Second Avenue and 103rd Street.[10] [11] In December 1972, the New York City Transit Authority started soliciting bids for the construction of Section 13 of Route 132-A, which was between 110th and 120th Streets in East Harlem.[12] Bids opened on January 26, 1973, and the bid from Cayuga-Crimmins was the lowest of six bids. The contract was awarded on March 20, 1973, and, in that month, construction of the segment by Cayuga-Crimmins began at a cost of $35.45 million .[13] [14] About half of this section was constructed through solid rock and therefore continual blasting was necessary. One worker was killed in the construction of this section.[15]

However, the city soon experienced its most dire fiscal crisis yet, due to the stagnant economy of the early 1970s, combined with the massive outflow of city residents to the suburbs, and in September 1975 construction on the line stopped, and the tunnels were sealed.[16] Over the next few decades, the MTA regularly inspected and maintained the tunnel segments (spending $20,000 a year by the early 1990s), to maintain the structural integrity of the streets above, and in case construction would ever resume. Trespassers would often camp in the tunnels until the MTA increased security.[17] The tunnel section from 110th to 120th Streets was built with three tracks,[18] and as part of the 1970s construction plan, under which this segment was constructed, there was no station planned at 116th Street.[19]

In 1999, the Regional Plan Association recommended building a full-length Second Avenue Subway, which would include 116th Street as one of its planned 31 stations. The station would serve central and southern East Harlem.[20]

Current construction

Introduction of the station to plans

In March 2007, plans for the construction of the Second Avenue Subway were revived.[21] The line's first phase, the "first major expansion" to the New York City Subway in more than a half-century,[22] included three stations in total and cost $4.45 to $4.5 billion,[23] [24] spanning from 105th Street and Second Avenue to 63rd Street and Third Avenue.[25] Phase 1 opened on January 1, 2017, with the line's northern terminal at 96th Street.[26] [27]

The second phase, between 125th and 96th Streets, was allocated $525 million in the MTA's 2015–2019 Capital Plan for planning, design, environmental studies, and utility relocation.[28] [29] This phase will complete the project's East Harlem section. The alignment will run under Second Avenue to 124th Street,[30] before turning west on 125th Street.[31] On October 18, 2016, the de Blasio administration announced a rezoning plan for East Harlem.[32] One of the three Special Transit Land Use (TA) districts is for the area of the 116th Street station.[33]

On November 21, 2016, the MTA requested that the Phase 2 project be entered into the Project Development phase under the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts program.[34] On December 15, several elected officials for the area announced that they were seeking $6 billion of funding for Phase 2 of the line, including $2 billion from the federal government.[35] These officials wished to secure funding from the presidential administration of Barack Obama before Obama's term ended on January 20, 2017. In their request for funding, they cited that they wanted to avoid an uncertain response from the administration of Donald Trump and start construction on Phase 2 as soon as possible. The FTA granted this request in late December 2016.[36] Under the approved plan, the MTA would complete an environmental reevaluation by 2018, receive funding by 2020, and open Phase 2 between 2027 and 2029.[37] In January 2017, it was announced that Phases 2 and 3, which are expected to cost up to a combined $14.2 billion, were on the Trump administration's priority list of 50 most important transportation projects nationwide.[38] [39]

In July 2018, the MTA released a supplemental environmental assessment for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway. The updated report indicated that the 116th Street station would be relocated about 30feet north compared to what had been proposed in the 2004 FEIS, eliminating a curve at the south end of the platform. Because the station is located below the surface, there would be less space to build utility rooms underground compared to deep-level Phase 1 stations, and so the ancillary facilities would be larger than in the Phase 1 stations.[40] Both ancillaries had to be relocated, since the locations outlined in the 2004 FEIS were no longer feasible for demolition.[40] The entrances were also enlarged for easier access from Second Avenue, and an entrance at 118th Street and Second Avenue was relocated from the southeast corner to the northeast.[40] Under the new plan, the station would also include extra elevators in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Whereas Phase 1 stations only included elevators at one entrance, the 106th and 116th Street stations would both include elevators at two entrances.[40]

Current plans

The original 1970s plans for the Second Avenue Line did not include a station at 116th Street; as part of the original construction, there were three tracks built in this segment, with the middle track intended to be used for repairing and inspecting trains. A station at 116th Street was added due to requests from the community during Phase 1's planning in the early 2000s.[41] Because of this, the existing tunnel segment from 110th Street to 120th Street was initially proposed to be partially demolished to make room for the 116th Street station.[42] The platform will be 25feet wide, the width of the station will be 59feet. However, by April 2019, it was decided to simply build a platform over the center trackway, instead of totally rebuilding the structure, to save a considerable amount of money.[43] There will be a mezzanine built at the station with ancillary space on either side, and the height between the platform and the ceiling will be 16feet. It is not yet clear where an elevator will be.

Track maps on the MTA's website show that the station will have two tracks and one island platform.[44] The station would extend approximately deep from street level to trackbed. Under current plans, there are to be two exits. One exit would be at the northeast corner of 116th Street and Second Avenue; the other would be at the northeast corner of 118th Street and Second Avenue.[40] Under the original plan, one ancillary would be present on the east side of Second Avenue near 115th Street and one will be on the west side near 119th Street, while a third ancillary would be located over the entrance at 116th Street.[45] [46], the ancillary near the southeast corner of 116th Street was relocated to the northeast corner of 115th Street, while the ancillary at the northeast corner of 118th Street was relocated to the west side of Second Avenue between 119th and 120th Streets. The ancillary over the entrance at the northeast corner of 116th Street was eliminated, and the entrances were enlarged.[40]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: www.nycsubway.org: Second Avenue Subway: The Line That Almost Never Was. 1972. nycsubway.org. September 30, 2015.
  2. Web site: IND Second System 1929 Plan. nycsubway.org. March 25, 2016.
  3. Web site: Second Avenue Subway Project – History. October 19, 2002. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20021019053707/http://mta.info/planning/sas/sas_history_1.htm. October 19, 2002. February 15, 2016.
  4. Web site: Last Train Rumbles On Third Ave. 'El'; An Era Ends With Final Run of Third Avenue 'El'. Katz. Ralph. May 13, 1955. The New York Times. August 23, 2016.
  5. See:
    • Web site: 2nd Avenue El . nycsubway.org . January 25, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090127041414/http://nycsubway.org/lines/2ndave-el.html . January 27, 2009 . live . mdy.
    • Web site: Second Avenue Local . Station Reporter . January 25, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090130064659/http://stationreporter.net/2avl.htm . January 30, 2009 . dead . mdy.
  6. See:
    • Web site: 3rd Avenue El . nycsubway.org . January 25, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090127041419/http://nycsubway.org/lines/3rdave-el.html . January 27, 2009 . live.
    • Web site: Third Avenue Local . Station Reporter . January 25, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100609061601/http://www.stationreporter.net/3avl.htm . June 9, 2010 . dead . mdy.
  7. Web site: nycsubway.org. The New York Transit Authority in the 1970s. October 27, 2016.
  8. Web site: Draft Environmental Statement, Second Avenue Subway, Route 132-A . Urban Mass Transportation Administration . nycsubway.org . August 1971 . May 22, 2014.
  9. Second Avenue Subway Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), May 2004 Appendix B Development of Alternatives. May 2004. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. August 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161122065059/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/feis/appendixb.pdf. November 22, 2016. live.
  10. http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Second_Avenue_Subway:_Timeline "Second Avenue Subway: Timeline"
  11. Web site: Second Avenue Subway - History. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140408220035/http://web.mta.info/capconstr/sas/background.html. April 8, 2014. April 7, 2014.
  12. Book: New York Court of Appeals. Records and Briefs.: 74 NY2D 166, Record part 2, Thomas Crimmins Contracting Co. V. City of New York. New York (State). en.
  13. News: Burks. Edward C.. Ground is Broken for 2d Ave. Link; Downtown Subway Section Begins With Ceremony Led by Lindsay and Ronan Projects Are Listed Interest in French Train. October 25, 1973. The New York Times. October 4, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170809171505/https://www.nytimes.com/1973/10/25/archives/ground-is-broken-for-2d-ave-link-downtown-subway-section-begins.html. August 9, 2017. 51.
  14. News: Burks. Edward C.. Beame and Wilson Man the Jackhammers To Start 4th Segment of 2d Ave. Subway. July 26, 1974. The New York Times. October 4, 2015. 10.
  15. News: Montgomery. Paul L.. 2d Ave. Tunnelers Push On, Despite Potential Futility; Proposal by Beame. January 10, 1975. The New York Times. October 4, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180727181321/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/01/10/archives/new-jersey-pages-2d-ave-tunnelers-push-on-despite-potential.html. July 27, 2018. 78.
  16. News: Burks. Edward C.. Work is Stopped on Subway Line; City Lacks Funds to Finish Part of 2d Ave. Project. September 26, 1975. The New York Times. October 4, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115426/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/26/archives/work-is-stopped-on-subway-line-city-lacks-funds-to-finish-part-of.html. July 27, 2018. 41.
  17. News: Finder. Alan. A Tunnel Waiting Two Decades for a Train; Shafts for the Second Avenue Subway Are Maintained, in Case the Line Is Ever Built. April 19, 1994. The New York Times. October 4, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307002136/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/19/nyregion/tunnel-waiting-two-decades-for-train-shafts-for-second-avenue-subway-are.html. March 7, 2016. B1.
  18. Web site: Second Avenue Subway, 1970s Harlem Segment. Anastasio. Joseph. October 29, 2008. LTV Squad. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190915003725/http://ltvsquad.com/2008/10/29/harlem-segment-uno/. September 15, 2019. December 30, 2016.
  19. Web site: 2nd Avenue Subway Tentative Track Plan Manhattan Portion. nycsubway.org. December 30, 2016.
  20. MetroLink - New Transit for New York. January 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/20100802231532/http://www.rpa.org/pdf/metrolink.pdf. August 2, 2010. dead.
  21. News: Neuman. William. Is That Finally the Sound of a 2nd Ave. Subway?. April 9, 2007. The New York Times. June 28, 2011. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20110505162314/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/nyregion/09subway.html. May 5, 2011.
  22. News: The Second Avenue subway explained. December 18, 2015. am New York. October 27, 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161027123735/https://www.amny.com/transit/the-second-avenue-subway-explained-1.11244882/. October 27, 2016.
    • Web site: Light at end of tunnel for Second Ave. subway. Putzier. Konrad. May 14, 2014. Real Estate Weekly. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034400/http://rew-online.com/2014/05/14/light-at-end-of-tunnel-for-second-ave-subway/. September 7, 2017. June 5, 2014. mdy-all.
    • Web site: Project Update: Second Avenue Subway. August 15, 2016. Mass Transit. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327123026/https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/article/12227191/project-update-second-avenue-subway. March 27, 2019. October 27, 2016.
  24. Web site: Drone takes tour of NYC's 2nd Avenue subway line. September 16, 2015. CBS News. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161024105935/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/drones-exclusive-look-at-new-york-city-second-avenue-subway-line/. October 24, 2016. October 27, 2016.
  25. Web site: Updates on NYC's Biggest Subway Projects: Second Avenue and East Side Access. Nonko. Emily. January 30, 2014. NewYork.com. June 5, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132213/http://www.newyork.com/articles/real-estate/updates-on-nycs-biggest-subway-projects-second-avenue-and-east-side-access-59421/. May 17, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  26. Web site: Decades in the making, Second Avenue Subway set to open to the public. McCowan. Candace. December 31, 2016. ABC7 New York. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170102170503/https://abc7ny.com/news/decades-in-the-making-second-avenue-subway-set-to-open-to-the-public/1680811/. January 2, 2017. January 1, 2017.
  27. News: Fitzsimmons. Emma G.. Highlights From the Opening of the Second Avenue Subway. January 1, 2017. The New York Times. January 1, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170101195614/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/nyregion/second-avenue-subway-opening-upper-east-side-manhattan.html. January 1, 2017. Palmer. Emily. en-US. 0362-4331. Remnick. Noah. Slotnik. Daniel E.. Wolfe. Jonathan.
  28. News: Fitzsimmons. Emma G.. Anger in East Harlem Over New Delays in 2nd Ave. Subway Plans. October 29, 2015. The New York Times. November 3, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151103014702/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/nyregion/anger-in-east-harlem-over-new-delays-in-2nd-ave-subway-plans.html. November 3, 2015. en-US. 0362-4331.
  29. MTA Capital Program 2015-2019. October 28, 2015. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. October 28, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022737/http://web.mta.info/capital/pdf/CapitalProgram2015-19_WEB%20v4%20FINAL_small.pdf. November 17, 2015.
  30. Web site: Second Avenue Subway 2004 FEIS Figure F-1 125th Street Station Study Area for Potential Easements or Acquisitions. 2004. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161122051804/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/feis/figuref-01.pdf. November 22, 2016. August 7, 2016.
  31. MTA Capital Program 2015 – 2019 Capital Plan Renew. Enhance. Expand. As Approved by MTA Board April 20, 2016. As Approved by the CPRB May 23, 2016.. May 2016. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. August 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161110142705/http://web.mta.info/capital/pdf/MTA_15-19_Capital_Plan_Board_WEB_Approved_v2.pdf. November 10, 2016. mta.info.
  32. News: Baird-Remba. Rebecca. Initial East Harlem Rezoning Plan Promises 30-Story Towers and Less Parking - New York YIMBY. October 18, 2016. New York YIMBY. October 23, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161022165823/https://newyorkyimby.com/2016/10/initial-east-harlem-rezoning-plan-promises-30-story-towers-and-less-parking.html. October 22, 2016. en-US.
  33. Web site: East Harlem Neighbourhood Study - Draft Planning Framework. October 18, 2016. www1.nyc.gov. NYC Planning - DCP Manhattan Office. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161023195503/https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/plans-studies/east-harlem/east-harlem-presentation-101816.pdf. October 23, 2016. October 22, 2016.
  34. Web site: Re: Project Development Initiation – Second Avenue Subway Phase 2. Garliauskas. Lucy. December 23, 2016. maloney.house.gov. Federal Transit Administration. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170112040746/https://maloney.house.gov/sites/maloney.house.gov/files/NY%20New%20York%20City%202nd%20Ave%20Subway%20Phase%202%20Letter%20signed%2012.23.16.pdf. January 12, 2017. December 24, 2016.
  35. News: Barone. Vincent. Officials look to secure federal funds for 2nd Ave. subway. December 15, 2016. amNY. December 16, 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161216134723/https://www.amny.com/transit/second-avenue-subway-should-get-federal-support-before-obama-leaves-office-officials-say-1.12763301/. December 16, 2016.
  36. News: Krisel. Brendan. Phase 2 of 2nd Avenue Subway Clears Preliminary Funding Hurdle. December 23, 2016. Harlem, NY Patch. January 4, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161225133904/https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/phase-2-2nd-avenue-subway-clears-preliminary-funding-hurle. December 25, 2016. en-US.
  37. News: New York City 2nd Ave Subway Phase 2 Profile. December 27, 2016. FTA. January 4, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170615232209/https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/New_York_City_2nd_Ave_Subway_Phase_2_Profile.pdf. June 15, 2017. mdy-all.
  38. News: Mocker. Greg. Second Avenue Subway expansion to be added to Trump's infrastructure priorities, congresswoman says. January 27, 2017. New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV. January 27, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170217020309/https://pix11.com/2017/01/26/second-avenue-subway-expansion-to-be-added-to-trumps-infrastructure-priority-congresswoman-says/. February 17, 2017.
  39. News: Fox. Alison. Second Avenue subway a priority for Trump, Rep. Maloney says. January 26, 2017. am New York. January 27, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170126215629/https://www.amny.com/transit/second-avenue-subway-a-priority-for-trump-rep-maloney-says-1.13020262/. January 26, 2017. en.
  40. Supplemental Environmental Assessment to the Second Avenue Subway Final Environmental Impact Statement: Phase 2 - Chapter 2. July 2018. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. July 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180713020232/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/ea_phase2/02_Description_of_Phase_2_Modified_Design-07-2018.pdf. July 13, 2018.
  41. Second Avenue Subway Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS): Appendix B: Development of Alternatives. April 2003. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. January 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20190711223541/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/sdeis/appendixb.pdf. July 11, 2019. mta.info.
  42. Web site: Second Avenue Subway Update to Community Board 11. April 5, 2016. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170316041839/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/Community%20Board%2011%20Presentation%204.5.16%20Final.pdf. March 16, 2017. January 4, 2017.
  43. Web site: Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting. April 2019. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 46. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190524134137/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/190415_1400_cpoc.pdf. May 24, 2019. January 18, 2019.
  44. Web site: Second Avenue Subway Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), May 2004 Figure 2-4 Track Diagram, North of 55th Street. May 2004. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. August 7, 2016.
  45. Web site: Second Avenue Subway Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), May 2004 8-3 116th Street Station. May 2004. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620180820/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/feis/figure8-03.pdf. June 20, 2018. August 7, 2016.
  46. Web site: Second Avenue Subway Phase 2. April 2018. 125thstreet.nyc. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620180820/https://www.125thstreet.nyc/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2nd-Avenue-Subway-Phase-2.pdf. June 20, 2018. June 20, 2018.

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