The Train Is Right On Time!

The Train Is Right On Time!

On January first countless New Yorkers from politicians, city and state officials, and the general public celebrated the opening of the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway. The mile long project, from 72nd to 96th Streets, is a symbol of pride for America’s most populated city, and its creation will serve thousands of New Yorkers daily.

The idea of creating a rapid transit system in New York has been an important part of the its history and growth.  In the 19th century, years before the Great Consolidation that would unify the five boroughs into the largest metropolis in the nation, city fathers dreamed of a series of vehicles that would move businessmen from homes in northern Manhattan to offices downtown. And as more people followed the wealthy further uptown, spurring massive urban development, the growing need for rapid transit was paramount for the city’s survival.

Elevated train networks emerged running north and south throughout the island. And though numerous in the number of lines constructed, they were highly pollutant, noisy and somewhat dangerous. The demand for less elevated, faster and safer lines encouraged the development of New York City’s subways.

Yet, particular trends would play a role in how the newly emerging transit networks would develop. Manhattan’s western side, more so than its eastern side, was saturated with commercial and residential developments.  And in response the three companies (IRT, BMT, and IND) that developed the subways performed amazing feats to build lines that often criss-crossed each other and traversed steep ranges to provide Manhattanites with fast transit.

While the IRT made inroads on the upper east side, the BMT and IND did not venture into this region. However, the IRT’s underground system only went as far as Lexington Avenue.  In reality, from east to west, about of mile of the city from the East River to the center of the island was not included in the highly competitive underground development. In the process, the furthest reaches of Manhattan’s east side were neglected in the quest to have a modern underground system. 

So for years, almost 100, New Yorkers have dreamed of a Second Avenue Subway. It was initially introduced by the Public Service Commission in 1920 as part of a “Proposed Comprehensive Rapid Transit System” and nine years later a formal proposal called for a line going from Houston Street to the Harlem River. The projected cost was $86 million dollars.  From 1929, line’s projected construction costs escalated. In 1939, it was estimated at $249 million, and a decade later it was $504 million. And the line was not built.

The 1960s must be considered the turning point. This decade witnessed a more robust design for the Second Avenue line, originating on Water Street in the financial district and extending to the Bronx with a connection to the Lexington Avenue subway at 63rd street. This would allow the Second Avenue riders to travel from the Bronx to Wall Street and equally give riders from Queens faster access to lower Manhattan. The first phase of the line would go from Harlem to 34th Street including Bronx and Queens connections, and the second phase would connect 34th Street to Water Street. More importantly, a generation of interested parties (MTA and NYCTA workers, state and local officials, politicians, and concerned citizens) put their hearts, souls and lives into the project to make a dream become a reality. Although there are too many people to mention, their names are radiating from each station, car and track.  

The project was finally green-lighted and construction began in 1972.  Unfortunately, it came to a crashing halt in 1975 as the city faced bankruptcy. Though limited construction was completed, the line was abandoned.  The subway was not revisited until 2000, and construction of the subway would not resume until 2006.

In 2006 the system began anew. The Q line, as it will be called, will be built in four phases extending from Hanover Street to 125th Street.  The opening of phase one must be celebrated. New Yorkers are the real comeback kids-they have withstood wars, depression and other calamities to get this line built. And hopefully this is just the start!

Although you can say phase one took forever to complete, the train has arrived and its right on time!