Representative Adriano Espaillat Addresses Significant Impact Phase II of the Second Avenue Subway will have on the District

WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) delivered remarks on the U.S. House floor in support of the Second Avenue Subway Phase II extension.

The following are remarks by Rep. Espaillat as prepared for delivery:

"I rise to thank U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, for coming to East Harlem this past weekend to kick off phase two of the Second Avenue Subway. On Saturday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration stood hand in hand with East Harlem leaders to sign a $3.4 billion Full Funding Grant Agreement.

This was a part of the Capital Investment Grant program that received record funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding will help support the 1.8-mile extension of the Q line along the east side of Manhattan to 125th Street, relieving overcrowding on the Lexington Avenue Line, which transports 200,000 riders daily and is the most heavily used transit corridor in the United States. Saturday marked the start of a vibrant economic future for families across East Harlem and beyond, and was a product of decades of work.

The Second Avenue Subway is finally here and will have a tremendous impact on constituents who call New York's 13th congressional district home for many years to come. The subway extension will take place within the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City, one of the most densely developed urban areas in the United States and the most transit-dependent community in New York City. It will serve approximately 118,000 residents, hundreds of small businesses, and 50,000 employees who commute to work in the area. It will connect residents to health, education, and recreational opportunities. 

Phase I of the Second Avenue Subway created 16,000 jobs, generated $842 million in wages, and produced $2.87 billion in economic activity during its construction. There is no doubt in my mind that Phase II will exceed these amazing community benefits. Most importantly, this project will connect East Harlem to the rest of the world.

Thank you, and I yield."

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fourth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 118th Congress. He is also a member of the House Budget Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Deputy Chair as well as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI). Rep. Espaillat is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov