Transit Projects On Track Despite Uncertainty In Washington
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Officials say some transit projects in the city are already providing economic boosts, despite the uncertain amount of infrastructure dollars from Washington. NY1's Bobby Cuza filed the following report.They are two projects that will probably see little if any federal stimulus money, but officials say they are critical to the region's future -- the Second Avenue subway and East Side Access, the plan to bring Long Island Rail Road trains into a new terminal at Grand Central Station.
"As we debate the stimulus package, which I hope we will pass this week, that has a significant portion for mass transit. They are talking about projects that will be shovel-ready in 90 days. These are projects that the shovels are already in the ground," said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.
With all the focus on Washington, the MTA hopes to redirect some of that attention toward Albany, which must come up with about $5 billion over the next five years to complete the two projects.
Maloney released a report Tuesday detailing the economic benefits the projects have already had. It found the Second Avenue subway has created 16,000 jobs, mostly in construction, and generated almost $3 billion in economic activity since work began in 2007.
East Side Access, underway since 2001, has created 22,000 jobs and produced $4 billion in economic activity.
But one place where the Second Avenue subway hasn't created any jobs is on Second Avenue itself, where a number of small businesses have gone out of business thanks to the ongoing construction.
Maloney and MTA officials say they are working with businesses on everything from signage to promotions to garbage removal. But in the end, short-term pain may be necessary for the long-term gain.
"We all know that the Second Avenue businesses are struggling today. But Congresswoman Maloney's report shows us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel," said City Councilman Dan Garodnick.
How soon that light will arrive, though, is now up to Albany.
"Congresswoman has guided this project from its inception. And she's close to the goal line. We need to punch this project into the end zone," said Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer.
"These projects are in the ground, under construction. All we need to do now is to finish the job," said Regional Plan Association President Robert Yaro.