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The MTA will ask its board to approve capital expenditures of $ 51.5 billion next week. The 2020-2024 Capital Plan includes new signals on six lines, new elevators in 70 stations, 1,900 new metro cars, 2,400 new buses, and the second phase of the 2nd Avenue subway, which includes three additional stations. in Harlem.
The capital plan is heavily focused on New York City Transit, with $ 37.3 billion for city subways and buses, and incorporates many of the ideas sought by Transit President Andy Byford for his plan. Fast Forward. The 2015-2019 capital plan included $ 16.7 billion in expenditures for subways and buses, for a total of $ 29 billion.
"I'm ecstatically happy," said Byford Monday. "It could not be better, this plan exceeds my wildest expectations." According to MTA president Pat Foye, Byford even said that this plan was better than Plymouth Argyle, winner of the first division (Byford's favorite football team, which is not about to qualify for the Premier League).
The plan includes the funding of modern communications-based train control (CBTC) signals, such as signals on lines L and 7. The first line on which the MTA will focus is Lexington Avenue 4, 5, 6. The others lines likely to receive new signals are the lines A, C, E, G, F, N and W.
The MTA does not know if he will have to close the lines for long periods of time or if he can do this work nights and weekends as he currently does (mainly) with the L-train. In fact, he will not say not even when he hopes the signals will be completed. "I do not like to engage in the language of the guarantee," said Janno Lieber, director of Capital Construction.
The plan plans to spend $ 5.2 billion on 65 new escalators and 78 new elevators, a significant increase from the latest capital plan, which provided $ 1.3 billion for 28 upgrades. ;accessibility. Byford had requested the installation of 50 elevators throughout the system, which would ensure that runners are never more than two stops away from an accessible station. At present, 24% of the stations are accessible.
While the MTA is counting on the largest source of funding for the $ 15-billion plan, from congestion pricing (Central Business District Tolling, as it's now called), there could be a sort of prolonged politicization between the governor and the city we attended about funding. half of the action plan for the metro. The new capital plan relies on a $ 3 billion financing from the city, explicitly to fund the elevator program. President Pat Foye said that Governor Cuomo had pledged to fund the state's share, but that it was still not approved by the legislature.
"The Speaker of the Senate, the Speaker of the House and the Mayor of New York City must approve the plan in order to move forward, each with a unilateral veto and discretionary, "said Governor Cuomo in a statement after the plan was released.
Foye said he was meeting with city officials on Monday to discuss the capital plan, but he would not say exactly who he was meeting.
The Long Island Railroad is expected to invest $ 5.7 billion in 160 new cars and more for the third track, another rail line along the Main. It also plans to make available 97% of its stations, 90% are currently. Metro North will also receive $ 4.7 billion in spending, much of which will be spent on new Bronx stations.
The plan provides $ 4.55 billion for the second phase of 2nd Avenue, which includes three other stations and extends to 125th Street Harlem. The total cost of the project, with the federal government paying half of the costs, is expected to reach $ 6.2 billion.
When asked why the public should trust the MTA to carry out one or the other of these projects on time and on budget, especially the 2nd Ave Subway, which was the subject of a lengthy report from The Times, nicknamed "The Mile The Most Expensive" of the Underground Tunnel on Earth, the MTA did not blame any of the items referred to in the and has charged high costs for compliance with strict fire codes that call for "vertical traffic to get people out" in an emergency.
"We are already demonstrating that we can control costs by shortening project times, delivering fewer change orders, and paying contractors faster. We are already showing that we can and will build projects faster, more efficiently and at a lower cost. The 2nd Avenue subway will prove it, "Janno Lieber, head of the MTA for Capital Construction, said on Monday.
Riders Alliance called the project a "big step in the right direction", but called on elected officials to fully adhere to it. "Governor Cuomo will need to establish a detailed schedule for the work and manage his MTA to meet deadlines and budget. The governor will also have to find the necessary funding to complete the entire work without taking shortcuts or forcing the MTA to become more indebted. The legislature will need to work together to fund these essential transit repairs, as well as to ensure that the capital plan is fully verified and approved, and that the MTA is accountable to the public for the money we are investing. Said John Raskin, leader. Director of the rider's alliance, said in a statement.
Although the last capital plan is neither funded nor completed, nor is the new plan a timeline for completion of these projects. President Foye said the MTA was about to complete the current capital plan by the end of the year; 75% of it is financed. He fully expects this plan to be fully funded by 2024.
The total cost of the capital plan would be $ 54.8 billion, including bridges and tunnels, although these costs are not included as this division pays for its costs through tolls. The main objective of Bridges and Tunnels will be to install toll devices for the next congestion pricing, which has not yet been chosen. It also plans to upgrade the Verrazano Bridge for an estimated $ 1 billion, including new ramps and expansion of some sections.
Oh, and there's also a medico-legal audit of how the MTA spends money and its finances, which was required under the congestion charging law, so that everything what you have just read can be modified according to the results of this audit. It should be published by the end of 2019.
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