Hochul announces $54M in funding for Second Avenue Subway expansion project

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- Congestion pricing in New York City may be paused, but the debate and planning continue. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul allocated $54 billion in state funding this week for the current work on the Second Avenue Subway in East Harlem. 

The Second Avenue Subway project depends on billions in funding.

When Hochul temporarily paused implementation of the congestion pricing fee in June for travel south of 60th Street in Manhattan, she said projects would continue.

The MTA has been reprioritizing billions of dollars' worth of projects due to the change in funding structure. 

Supporters held a briefing Tuesday to dispel myths about congestion pricing and focus attention on long-term funding, air quality, traffic, and jobs. 

Some riders, advocates and the New York Building Congress are calling on the governor to set a date and provide more specifics about $1 billion in funding. 

"Today we should be celebrating one month since the start of congestion pricing and the many benefits it will bring to our region — cleaner air, less traffic and funding for critical transit infrastructure. Instead, millions of daily transit riders were left in the lurch,” said Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.

Hochul repeated her ongoing support for transit projects and funding. 

"Other areas, I’ll look at a case-by-case basis during the pause time to make sure we don’t delay critical projects," the governor said. 

Susan Lee, with New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, said the governor has shown there is funding. 

"We have to be smart and diligent. The congestion pricing tax is not the way to go," Lee said. 

“New York's future growth depends on our ability to invest wisely and act decisively. The delay in congestion pricing has already resulted in an estimated $82 million in lost toll revenue, essential for funding critical MTA capital improvements,” said Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress. “This setback has led to the cancellation of crucial projects that millions of New Yorkers rely on. It is imperative that we implement congestion pricing promptly to secure necessary funding and prevent further deterioration of our transit infrastructure."

Hochul's office is said to be having constant discussions with the MTA. 

In a statement included with the executive announcement, the MTA chairman said the agency is grateful for the utility funding.

“Advancing that work while congestion pricing is on pause puts MTA in a position to keep the overall Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project on schedule while Albany resolves how to fund the $15 billion outstanding for the MTA’s 2020-24 Capital Program,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said in a statement. 

The MTA is focusing current plans on maintenance and State of Good Repair projects. The board meets for its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday. 

The governor expects more announcements by the end of the year and in January when the legislature reconvenes.