 The second phase , between 125th and 96th Streets , was allocated $ 525 million in the MTA 's 2015 – 2019 Capital Plan for planning , design , environmental studies , and utility relocation . This budget originally carried $ 1 @.@ 5 billion , which would be used to start construction of the tunnels ; the MTA reduced the amount of money allocated in the budget , projecting that the agency would not be able to start construction by the end of the 5 @-@ year cycle in 2019 . Now , construction of the tunnels will likely be funded in future 5 @-@ year capital programs , and possibly not start until 2020 . Although the MTA previously expressed concerns about funding the Capital Program , spokesman Adam <unk> stated that the reduction in funding was a result of uncertain timing and not money issues . The delay had upset politicians and residents of East Harlem , who objected to the 3 @-@ to @-@ 4 @-@ year delay . In March 2016 , the MTA began advertising Requests for Proposals ( RFP ) for three new contracts for the second phase , which were planned to be awarded in summer 2016 . In April 2016 , the MTA and the State of New York reached a deal to restore funding to Phase 2 . 
