By Philip Newman
U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) has assured U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Astoria) that federal money for the Second Avenue subway will continue through the first phase of the project.
Mica and Maloney toured the newly completed tunnels for the Second Avenue subway Tuesday.
Mica is chairman of the House Transportation Committee.
“The Second Avenue subway is a great example of what can be done when we invest in our infrastructure and I thank Chairman Mica for committing to help ensure that the federal government meets its responsibility to fund the subway’s first phase,” Maloney said.
.”For the benefit of other major transportation and infrastructure projects like the Second Avenue subway, and the stability needed to undertake these kinds of projects around the country, it is essential that Congress complete a six-year transportation bill as soon as possible,” Mica said.
The new subway is expected to relieve the jam-packed trains of the Lexington subway line, which carries 40 percent of all straphangers in New York City. This will also make it possible for the Lexington line to carry riders who travel on the Long Island Railroad to a new hub under Grand Central Station.
