MTA releases proposed 2020-24 capital plan

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) yesterday released a 2020-2024 capital plan that proposes spending $51.5 billion on the region’s subways, railroads and buses to create a faster, more accessible and reliable public transportation system. 

The proposed plan would increase infrastructure spending by 70 percent over current levels, and would be the highest level of investment in the authority's history, MTA officials said in a press release. 

The program calls for investing more than $37.3 billion in MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) subway, $5.7 billion in the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and $4.7 billion in MTA Metro-North Railroad.

NYCT improvements include: 

• $7.1 billion to modernize the system’s signals; 
• $6.1 billion to purchase 1,900 new subway cars;
• $5.3 billion to improve station accessibility;
• $4.1 billion to make critical repairs, replace elevators and escalators;
• $2.6 billion to replace 60 miles of track and install 20 miles of continuous welded rail; and 
• $4.55 billion to enter into the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway project, which includes building three stations serving the line, and a new connection with Metro-North Railroad.

LIRR improvements include:

• $1 billion to install concrete ties and continuous-welded rail, as well as upgrade and reconfigure infrastructure at Jamaica Station;
• $910 million to improve station accessibility and replace platforms, elevators and escalators;
• $364 million to replace 32 percent of the system’s switches, 21 percent of track circuits and 11 percent of grade crossing equipment at locations with the highest maintenance needs. The railroad will also upgrade signals and interlockings on three branches and acquire enhanced communications equipment; and
• $487 million to purchase 160 M9A electric cars, expanding the fleet by 13 percent. The LIRR will purchase nearly 20 coaches and more than 10 locomotives serving the railroad’s non-electrified territory.

Metro-North Railroad improvements include:

• $895 million to pursue the first phase of replacement of the Grand Central Terminal train shed and Park Avenue Tunnel and Viaduct;
• $621 million to improve accessibility and make other station improvements;
• $485 million to begin replacement of 140 M3 electric cars;
• $187 million to improve infrastructure needed to allow reverse-peak and better off-peak service west of the Hudson River; and,
• $184 million to progress infrastructure that would support a future third track on the Harlem Line.

The program also includes $3.3 billion for MTA bridge and tunnel upgrades. 

The capital program is expected to be funded with $25 billion from bonds backed by new revenue streams, including $15 billion from central business district tolling; $10.68 billion in anticipated federal funding; $10 billion from bonds backed by a progressive tax on high-end real estate sales and the elimination of the internet tax advantage; $3 billion pledged from the State of New York, subject to approval by the Legislature; and $3 billion requested from New York City, officials said.

The remaining $9.8 billion will come from the MTA in the form of pay-as-you-go capital contributions and bonds backed by longstanding dedicated taxes, fares and revenue from existing tolling.

MTA's board will review the plan Sept. 25. If approved, the plan would be submitted by Oct. 1 to the MTA Capital Program Review Board for consideration. The review board is made up of New York's governor, the New York City mayor and New York State Senate and Assembly representatives.