MIDTOWN —The MTA approved its $29 billion capital plan Wednesday, including $300 million for new projects such as studying the extension of the 3 and 4 lines on Utica Avenue and a new $30 million connector between the Livonia Station on the L line and the Junius Street Station on the 3.
The approval comes after months of contentious back-and-forth between Mayor Bill de Blasio, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast over how much money the city and the state should contribute.
Earlier this month, the city increased its contribution to $2.5 billion from an already increased $657 million commitment. The state will contribute $8.3 billion to the $29 billion capital plan.
"Historic" is how de Blasio described the city's contribution.
"This represents a new model of cooperation between the city and state in ensuring that New Yorkers have a reliable, effective and safe transit system," de Blasio said in a statement.
An MTA spokesman declined to comment on the city's claim of $300 million worth of projects.
The state's contribution was also "historic," according to Cuomo. The city's contribution was "significant funding" that allowed it "to pay its fair share," he said.
It's unclear how the city and state will come up with the funds for the capital plan or when they will be delivered.
Many of the new city projects targeted for funding were part of de Blasio's OneNYC plan, including the $5 million Utica Avenue extension study. The Central Brooklyn neighborhood is one of the densest outer borough areas of the city not served by subway service.
Currently, the 4 train terminates at Utica Avenue on Eastern Parkway, where it runs alongside the 3 train. The B46 bus that serves the area is often overcrowded.
In order to transfer between the L and 3 trains at Livonia Station and Junius Street Station, an additional fare is required. A new connector between the two stations will cost $30 million, plus $15 million to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Another $175 million will be used to make improvements at several key stations, such as Broadway Junction, Flushing Main Street, 86th Street Lexington Avenue, Sutphin/Archer/JFK, 149th/Grand Concourse and Jamaica Center Parsons-Archer.
The improvements will focus on access to the stations as well as efforts to relieve overcrowding.
Another $80 million is reserved for the city and the MTA to develop projects together. One proposal is studying the feasibility of a bus station and storage facility in Flushing.
The capital plan also includes money for other projects affecting the city, such as the second phase of the Second Avenue subway, which will extend service between 96th Street and 125th Street.
But Prendergast has committed to cutting $3 billion from the plan through efficiencies.
The plan the board voted on Wednesday cuts funding for the second phase of the Second Avenue Subway to $535 million from the $1 billion that was included in the September 2014 capital plan.
The capital plan also includes money for new train cars, new buses, signal and track repairs, along with a new communications systems that can speed trains and decrease delays.
