Second Avenue's Second Coming

To New Yorkers, it's easier to believe in Santa than the Second Avenue Subway.

But there may be some reason to have faith that the first new line in more than 50 years will finally be constructed:

WASHINGTON--The Federal Government has agreed to finance New York City's Second Avenue subway, according to officials here.

The decision on the East-Side line, which has been a goal of transit planners since the 1930's, is expected to insure completion of the system within a decade.

That story was written June 11th, 1972 under the headline: U.S. AGREES TO AID 2D AVENUE SUBWAY. An official who wisely asked not to be identified assured readers then: "It should be obvious that participation in a project like this one is done with the anticipation that it will be seen through to completion."

Compare that to William Neuman's story in today's Times:

U.S. APPROVES $1.3 BILLION FOR 2ND AVENUE SUBWAY

The long-dreamed-of Second Avenue subway will take another important step toward becoming a real thing of concrete and steel today, as the federal government plans to announce that it has formally approved $1.3 billion in financing for the project’s first phase.

The 1972 groundbreaking was actually the third in the endless history of the project. The fifth occurred this spring. With looming deficits and massive opposition to a fare hike, officials are surely considering the failures of prior generations.

Two years after the Feds promised funding, this story ran:

October 16, 1974
WARNING IS GIVEN ON NEW SUBWAY

U.S. Aide says using funds to meet deficits could delay 2d Ave. Line

By EDWARD C. BURKS

A top Federal transit official warned yesterday that it could easily take an extra five years beyond the 1981 target date to finish the Second Avenue subway if the city used its Federal transit aid largely to meet operating deficits.

The official, Frank C. Herringer, administrator of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration and a native New Yorker, said during a news conference at the New York Hilton hotel: "I don't think we should structure a national transit program to save the 35-cent fare or any fare. I'd hate to see the capital program grind to a halt in order to maintain the 35-cent fare."

From there, the project was on track for oblivion.

September 26th, 1975
WORK IS STOPPED ON SUBWAY LINE

City Lacks Funds to Finish Part of 2d Ave. Project

By EDWARD C. Burks

Mayor Beame added a new "stop" yesterday to the Second Avenue subway line -- an embattled construction project that has been progressing steadily toward limbo.

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Ha. And I wonder how many column inches it took to get from there to here. Slowest advancing story ever?

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