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Long, strange saga of 2nd Ave subway

amNewYork

April 13, 2007

The saga of the Second Avenue Subway:

1920: Idea to build the line is floated as part of city's plan to introduce IND subway service.

1929: The stock market crash complicates plans to build the line between the Harlem River and Houston Street.

1930s: Ballooning costs to build the IND lines push back the estimated completion date for the line to 1948.

1942: The Second Avenue elevated service is suspended, and the line is demolished.

1944: Planning resumes. New target date: 1951.

1949: Queens residents throw wrench in plans, demanding improved service in their borough first. Planning continues as costs rise.

1955-56: The Third Avenue elevated train service ends and the line is demolished, putting even more pressure on the Lexington line, now and to this day the East Side's sole rapid transit option.

1957: Most of a $500 million bond issue is spent, and planning is shelved.

1964-72: Federal money becomes available, the MTA is formed and it looks like the Second Avenue subway may actually roll someday.

1972: Groundbreaking held at 103rd Street and Second Avenue.

1975: Construction stops because of the city's fiscal crisis.

1995: Idea is revived to help ease overburdened and delay-prone Lexington Avenue line.

1999-2004: Environmental reviews, public hearings and other efforts combine with strong economy to make the project a real possibility again.

2006: The Federal Transit Administration gives thumbs up to produce final design for first phase of project.

April 12, 2007: Ground breaks -- again, one block south of the 1972 site. Target opening date for first phase: 2013

(Metropolitan Transportation Authority)