ALBANY, NY —
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced plans to advance two major transit initiatives as part of the FY27 Executive Budget, aiming to improve commutes for millions of New Yorkers. The proposal includes $50 million for the design of a reimagined Jamaica Station, creating a more seamless connection between the Subway, Long Island Rail Road, and AirTrain for the 200,000 daily riders who pass through the hub. According to the Governor’s Office, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have already begun coordinating the effort.
The Governor also outlined the next phase of the Second Avenue Subway westward expansion, advancing preliminary engineering and design to continue tunneling along 125th Street to Broadway. The MTA’s 20‑Year Needs Assessment estimates that the extension could serve nearly 240,000 daily riders and save commuters more than 30 minutes per week on average.
“New Yorkers deserve a world‑class transit system,” Governor Hochul said. “By advancing projects like the Second Avenue Subway and reimagining Jamaica Station, we’re building on past investments to deliver more reliable, efficient, and modern transit options for riders today and for generations to come.”
Jamaica Station, now 113 years old, is the fourth‑busiest commuter rail station in North America, surpassed only by Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, and Toronto’s Union Station. Despite its importance, it has not seen a major upgrade since the AirTrain opened in 2003.
In her 2024 State of the State address, Governor Hochul proposed extending the Q line west along 125th Street, adding new stations at Lenox Avenue, St. Nicholas Avenue, and Broadway. A feasibility study funded by the Governor found that continuing construction immediately after the East Harlem extension would save both time and money while serving hundreds of thousands of riders.
The 125th Street extension would improve connectivity across Manhattan by linking with seven north‑south subway lines, reducing travel times, and expanding access to jobs for underserved communities.
