MTA plans $187M contract for Second Avenue Subway extension

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to approve a major contract for the Second Avenue Subway project. The contract is worth $186.6 million and is expected to be finalized by the MTA's board on Wednesday. This contract will be awarded to a partnership between AECOM and HNTB New York Engineering and Architecture. Their job will be to manage and consult on the next three phases of the subway extension. This extension will stretch the line from E. 96th Street up to E. 116th Street and further west to E. 125th Street at Lexington Avenue. The first of these phases involves tunneling, and that contract will be awarded later this year. An above-ground construction contract is expected to be given out in 2026. Finally, the last contract will cover things like station entrances and tracks, but this will depend on how quickly the earlier phases progress. The agreement with AECOM and HNTB includes incentives for staying on schedule as well as penalties for delays. The MTA can assess up to $4 million based on the firm's performance.