New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the advancement of $1.75 billion in key transit projects for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that will modernize the subway system, funded by revenue generated by congestion pricing.

The MTA Board approved a design-build contract to modernize subway signals on the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens, moving forward on one of the most significant upgrades to service quality and reliability in the system. The MTA Board also approved accessibility upgrades to five subway stations, including the major complex at 42 St-Bryant Park, which serves 111,000 daily riders on the 7, B, D, F and M lines.

The project will bring Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) to the Fulton Street Line in Brooklyn and the Liberty Avenue Line in Queens between Jay Street-MetroTech and Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd stations, replacing century-old legacy signal systems that date back to the line’s opening in 1936. It will also repair and replace switches, install upgraded tunnel lighting and run cabling to support the deployment of cellular service through the tunnels.

When this project is completed, more than 600,000 daily riders across the A and C trains will see substantial upgrades to reliability, faster travel speeds, and better service. Previous CBTC installations on the 7, L and Queens Boulevard (E, F, M, R) lines have yielded significant improvements to on-time performance and train speed increases of up to 10 percent, all while upgrading operations and safety systems.

The Fulton and Liberty Line signal modernization project is further evidence of the effectiveness of the MTA’s new CBTC-centric approach, which streamlines project delivery while maintaining the highest technical standards. CBTC-centric projects are now more than 33 percent cheaper per mile than prior projects, a major breakthrough as the MTA continues its ambitious plans to modernize signals throughout the system. Further funding from congestion pricing will go towards upgrading the signals on the 6th Avenue Line carrying the B, D, F and M, while the 2025-29 MTA Capital Plan includes CBTC upgrades on eight lines and over 75 miles of track.

The project also reflects the MTA’s success in expanding competition in a highly specialized market. Three bidders competed for the contract, a result of targeted efforts to bring more firms into signal modernization work — helping control costs while ensuring quality.

The project is being delivered as a bundle of two different subway segments. The Fulton Street Line, running from Jay Street-MetroTech in Brooklyn Heights to Euclid Avenue in East New York, is funded as part of the MTA’s 2020-24 Capital Plan and is made possible by Congestion Relief Zone revenues. The Liberty Street Line, running from Euclid Avenue to Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard in Ozone Park, is funded as part of the 2025-29 Capital Plan.

This project advances as the MTA adds more R211 subway cars to the A and C lines. All R211 come equipped with technology that seamlessly integrates with CBTC signals, leading to a better overall commute for millions of daily riders — including more reliable service, fewer delays, more frequent trains and less waiting.

-via Press Release