7 Subway Extension

{{Infobox rail line

|box_width =

|color = {{rcr|NYCS|7}}

|name = 7 Subway Extension

|image = {{rint|nycs|7|size=55}} {{rint|nycs|7x|size=55}}

|image_width = 150px

|image_alt = The route emblems of the 7 Local and 7 Express trains are a purple circle and diamond, respectively, with a white "7" within both.

|caption = The 7 and 7 Express (designated as <7> on rolling stock) services serve the entire 7 Subway Extension.

|type = Rapid transit

|system = New York City Subway

|stations = 1 constructed
(1 proposed)

|start = Times Square

|end = 34th Street–Hudson Yards

|open = {{start date and age|2015|09|13}}

|locale = Manhattan, New York City

|owner = City of New York

|operator = New York City Transit Authority

|character = Underground

|linelength_mi = 1.5

|tracks = 2

|gauge = {{track gauge|ussg}}

|electrification = 625 V DC third rail

|map =

}}

The 7 Subway Extension is a subway extension of the New York City Subway's IRT Flushing Line, which is served by the {{NYCS|7}} local and {{NYCS|7d|<7>}} express services. The extension stretches {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} southwest from its previous terminus at Times Square, at Seventh Avenue and 41st Street, to one new station at 34th Street and Eleventh Avenue. A second station at 10th Avenue and 41st Street was dropped from the plans in October 2007. The entirety of the extension is located within the New York City borough of Manhattan. The extension, a key part of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project, is expected to bring business and entertainment into the area, as well as aid redevelopment of nearby Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen, located around the Long Island Rail Road's West Side Yard. The extension also serves the nearby Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The project was originally proposed in 2005 as part of the Hudson Yards project, which included the failed attempt to build the West Side Stadium for the New York Jets and the city's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Although the stadium plan was rejected by the state legislature, the rest of the Hudson Yards rail yard development, including the 7 Subway Extension, went forward. Construction on the extension started in 2007.

The extension's opening was postponed multiple times from its original target of December 2013. The delays were attributed to a variety of problems, mostly involving the {{convert|170|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} incline elevators that were custom-designed for the new station. The extension finally opened to the public on September 13, 2015.

Historical context

Image:7 subway extension and hudson yards.svg station is shown. The solid purple segment represents the pre-existing portion of the Flushing Line, while the dashed purple segment represents the new portion of the Flushing Line, and the dashed blue segment represents storage tracks south of 34th Street–Hudson Yards.]]

Proposals to extend the transit system to the Far West Side to support massive redevelopment were floated as early as 1969, when the New York City Planning Commission's (CPC's) master plan proposed to expand midtown westward along a 48th Street transit line to replace what the plan described as "blocks of antiquated and deteriorating structures of every sort" between Eighth and Twelfth avenues.{{cite web | last=Stern | first=Michael | title=6TH AND LAST PART OF MASTER PLAN ON CITY RELEASED; Volume on Manhattan Urges Building of Offices Along 48th St. Transit Line WESTWARD PATTERN SET Condemnation of Big Tracts Intended to Insure Public Use of Some of Area | website=The New York Times | date=December 8, 1970 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/12/08/archives/6th-and-last-part-of-master-plan-on-city-released-volume-on.html | access-date=September 20, 2015}} That proposal for the West 40s and 50s failed after voters rejected a state bond issue that would have financed the proposed new east–west transit line or "people mover."{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Witkin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/04/archives/state-will-cancel-some-road-projects.html |title=State Will Cancel Some Road Projects |work=The New York Times |date=November 4, 1971}} Subsequently, attention shifted to the West 30s and the IRT Flushing Line.

In response to the CPC's 1993 proposal to improve access to the Manhattan Central Business District,Department of City Planning, [http://www.nyc.gov/html/rabrc/downloads/pdf/dcp_shaping_the_citys_futuresmall.pdf "Shaping the City's Future,"] 1993. the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) began exploring the possibility of a 7 extension to New Jersey.{{cite web |url=http://wagner.nyu.edu/files/faculty/publications/Olympics_in_NYC_2012_REPORT_110711.pdf |title=HOW NEW YORK CITY WON THE OLYMPICS |publisher=New York University |work=Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service |date=November 2011 |access-date=September 11, 2015 |first=Mitchell L. |last=Moss}} In June 2001, a business and civic group convened by Senator Charles Schumer argued that a westward extension of the Midtown office district could not be accomplished without a subway extension, saying:{{cite book |title=Preparing for the Future: A Commercial Development Strategy for New York City : Final Report |publisher=Group of 35 |date=June 11, 2001 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/118950748/Group-of-35-Report-June-2001 |access-date=September 12, 2015 |page=56}}

{{blockquote|The long blocks along the avenues make the walk as long as 20 minutes to the westernmost parts of the area. In addition, there is no convenient link from Grand Central Station or elsewhere on the east side of Manhattan, making the Far West Side a difficult commute for workers from parts of Manhattan, Queens, Westchester and Connecticut.}}

In December 2001, the New York City Department of City Planning issued a study entitled Far West Midtown: A Framework for Development that recommended zoning changes and an extension of the Flushing Line to revitalize Far West Midtown. The government of New York City devised a rezoning plan for the Hudson Yards area and proposed two new subway stations to serve that area, with the extension of the subway to be financed by $2.1 billion of city-issued bonds. The project also included an expansion of the Javits Center and a proposed West Side Stadium, the latter of which was to serve as the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies and track and field events in the New York City bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics.{{cite web |year=2004 |url=https://www.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/plans/hudson-yards/hy_chap1_t_fgeis_final.pdf |title=No. 7 Subway Extension—Hudson Yards Rezoning and Development Program FGEIS |publisher=nyc.gov |pages=1-1, 1-11, 1-14, 1-15 |access-date=March 11, 2025}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hydc.org/html/project/subway.shtml |title=No. 7 Subway Extension |author= |website=Hudson Yards Development Corporation |access-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209053224/http://www.hydc.org/html/project/subway.shtml |archive-date=February 9, 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/07/nyc-subway-underground-rail-second-avenue-subway_n_2637601.html |title=NYC Transit Projects: East Side Access, Second Avenue Subway, and 7 Train Extension |last1=Dobnik |first1=Verena |date=February 7, 2013 |website=Huffington Post |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021183340/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/07/nyc-subway-underground-rail-second-avenue-subway_n_2637601.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013}} The City wanted to get funding before July 2005, at which time the International Olympic Committee would vote on funding. However, due to shortfalls in the MTA's Capital Program, as well as preexisting funding for the Second Avenue Subway and East Side Access, the MTA could not pay to fund the extension. After the proposal for the West Side Stadium was rejected in 2005,{{cite web |last1=Bagli |first1=Charles V. |last2=Cooper |first2=Michael |title=Olympic Bid Hurt as New York Fails in West Side Stadium Quest |website=The New York Times |date=June 7, 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/07/nyregion/olympic-bid-hurt-as-new-york-fails-in-west-side-stadium-quest.html |access-date=September 12, 2015}} New York City quickly lost their Olympic bid.{{cite web |title=New York Comes in a Disappointing Fourth Place |website=WNYC |date=July 6, 2005 |last=Bernstein |first=Andrea |url=http://www.wnyc.org/story/84177-new-york-comes-in-a-disappointing-fourth-place/ |access-date=September 12, 2015}} The subway extension was approved following the successful rezoning of about 60 blocks from 28th to 43rd Streets, which became the Hudson Yards neighborhood.{{cite news |title=What Rises in the West? Uncertainty |first=Joyce |last=Purnick |author-link=Joyce Purnick|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/nyregion/20matters.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 2, 2005 |access-date=March 6, 2010}}

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's December 12, 2006, address to the New York League of Conservation Voters noted that in November 2006, the government began issuing bonds to fund the extension of the 7 subway to Eleventh Avenue and 34th Street.{{Cite news |title=NYC Mayor Outlines Long-Term Growth Plan |first=Katie |last=Hinderer |url=http://www.globest.com/news/801_801/newyork/151373-1.html |work=GlobeSt.com |date=December 13, 2006 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513085603/http://www.globest.com/news/801_801/newyork/151373-1.html |archive-date=May 13, 2009 }} The $2.4 billion extension was funded with New York City funds from municipal Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bond sales that are expected to be repaid with property tax revenues from future developments in areas served by the extension.{{Cite news |title=City Raises $2 Billion In Bonds For No. 7 Line Extension |url=http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=64913 |work=NY1 |last=Cuza |first=Bobby |date=December 7, 2006 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011125730/http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=64913 |archive-date=October 11, 2007 }}

Construction progress

In October 2007, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) awarded a $1.145 billion contract to build {{convert|7000|ft|m}} of twin-tube tunnel from the 7 train's then-terminus at Times Square to the then-planned shell of the 34th Street–Hudson Yards station. The contract was awarded to S3, a joint venture of J.F. Shea, Skanska USA Civil, and Schiavone.{{cite web |url=http://newyork.construction.com/projects/TopProjects06-08/1-5.pdf |title=Top New York Projects |date=June 2008 |page=27 |work=New York Construction |access-date=February 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708191505/http://newyork.construction.com/projects/TopProjects06-08/1-5.pdf |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |url-status=dead }}{{cite press release |publisher=New York City Mayor's Office |date=December 3, 2007 |title=Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Spitzer Announce Start of Construction on #7 Subway Extension |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2007b/pr437-07.html |access-date=February 28, 2010}} The extension's construction was overseen by the MTA's Capital Construction division. Dattner Architects, designed the 34th Street station.{{cite web |url=http://www.tienyi.com/rda/trans6.html |title=No. 7 Subway Line Extension |work=Dattner Architects |access-date=February 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315212612/http://www.tienyi.com/rda/trans6.html |archive-date=March 15, 2012}} After excavating the new terminal's shell and creating the first {{convert|1000|ft|m}} of tunnel using the drill-and-blast method, S3 placed two tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) in the ground to dig the remaining {{convert|6000|ft|m}}; as it dug, each TBM placed precast concrete liner segments to create the tunnel interior.

Early on in the project, it was announced that the new stations would feature platform screen doors.{{Cite news|title=MTA Plans To Install Platform Doors On 7 Line Extension |url=http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=73389 |work=NY1 |date=September 8, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325054135/http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=73389 |archive-date=March 25, 2008 }} The stations (along with the new South Ferry station on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line and the three Phase 1 Second Avenue Subway stations on the Upper East Side) would include special air-cooling systems to reduce the temperature along platforms.{{Cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/cooler-subways-coming-eventually-article-1.550619 |title=Cooler Subways Coming – Eventually |last=Donohue |first=Pete |date=August 4, 2006 |newspaper=Daily News |location=New York |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227213609/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/cooler-subways-coming-eventually-article-1.550619 |archive-date=December 27, 2016 |url-status=live |access-date=February 28, 2010}} Due to its depth, the extension has ventilation towers, rather than the ventilation grates ubiquitous in the rest of the subway system.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/nyregion/second-ave-subway-line-wont-have-sidewalk-ventilation-grates.html |title=No Heel Hazards (or Gusts) as Subway Expands |work=New York Times |date=September 30, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2014 |author=Roberts, Sam |location=New York}}

However, in October 2007, soon after the announcement of the new extension, the 10th Avenue station was canceled due to an overrun of the $2.4 billion budget, and the MTA did not have an extra $500 million to build the 10th Avenue station.{{cite web | last=Neuman | first=William | title=Higher Costs Force Cutback in Extension of the No. 7 Line | website=The New York Times | date=October 20, 2007 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/20/nyregion/20mta.html | access-date=September 28, 2015}}{{cite web | last=Olshan | first=Jeremy | title=MTA: IT'S WESTWARD HO(LD ON A $EC) FOR NO. 7 TRAIN | website=Internet Archive | date=October 21, 2007 | url = http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202007/news/regionalnews/mta__its_westward_ho_ld_on_a_e.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021085350/http://www.nypost.com/seven/10202007/news/regionalnews/mta__its_westward_ho_ld_on_a_e.htm | archive-date=October 21, 2007 |url-status=dead}} On December 3, 2007, the MTA conducted a ceremony at the Times Square subway station marking the launch of construction of the 7 train extension. The contractor began excavating the station cavern adjacent to the Javits Convention Center.{{cite web|title=MTA starts work on No. 7 train extension |website=AM New York |date=December 14, 2007 |url=http://www.amny.com/news/local/transportation/am-sevenline1203,0,1144363.story?coll=amny_home_rail_headlines |archive-date=December 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214105206/http://www.amny.com/news/local/transportation/am-sevenline1203%2C0%2C1144363.story?coll=amny_home_rail_headlines |url-status=dead }} One physical hindrance to the construction of the extension was the lower-level platform at 42nd Street–Port Authority Bus Terminal on the IND Eighth Avenue Line. The abandoned platform was partially razed to allow the 7 train extension to be built.{{Cite news |title=No Whoosh, No 'All Aboard' |first=Alex |last=Mindlin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/nyregion/thecity/20port.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 20, 2008 |access-date=February 28, 2010}} In order for the TBMs to meet up with the existing lay-up tracks west of Times Square, the Eighth Avenue Line had to be underpinned to support the existing line.{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html|title=mta.info {{!}} Capital Programs 7 Line Extension|website=web.mta.info|access-date=August 30, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003930/http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html|url-status=dead}}

Image:Subway Ground.jpg

In June 2008, construction on the tunnels began along Eleventh Avenue in Manhattan.{{cite press release | title=Easy-to-Install CertainTeed Certa-Lok Yelomine Offers Ideal Solution for Temporary Water Lines for Metropolitan Transportation Authority's No. 7 Subway Extension | publisher=CertainTeed | date=January 25, 2011 }} In February 2009, S3 lowered the first of two tunnel-boring machines into a giant shaft at the corner of 25th Street and Eleventh Avenue. The two boring machines dug parallel {{convert|7100|ft|m|adj=on}} long tunnels north along Eleventh Avenue to the current terminus of the 7 service at 41st Street and Times Square.{{cite press release |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |date=February 19, 2009 |title=Metropolitan Transportation Authority And Mayor Bloomberg Preside Over Lowering Of Tunnel Boring Machine For 7 Line Subway Extension |url=http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?en=090219-HQ6 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218172917/http://www.mta.info/mta/news/releases/?en=090219-HQ6 |archive-date=December 18, 2010}} The MTA posted a construction update with photographs on its website in November 2008, showing substantial progress.{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capconstr/7ext/construction.htm |title=Construction Update — November 2008 |work=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=August 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005130303/http://web.mta.info/capconstr/7ext/construction.htm |archive-date=October 5, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

The MTA completed excavation of a {{convert|150|ft|m|adj=on}} long cavern in June 2009. The cavern was dug below the bus entrance ramp to the lower level of the Port Authority Bus Terminal and formed part of the eastern end of the new extension and connected it to the Times Square station. At the same time, tunnels were being dug northward from the machine shaft at 26th Street; soft ground at 27th and 28th Street required {{convert|300|ft|0}} of ground to be frozen so that the tunnel-boring machines could easily dig through the soil.{{cite web |url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/544-09/mayor-bloomberg-mta-completion-first-phase-number-7-subway-extension |title=Mayor Bloomberg And Mta Announce Completion Of First Phase Of Number 7 Subway Extension |work=NYC.gov |date=December 21, 2009 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620232312/http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/544-09/mayor-bloomberg-mta-completion-first-phase-number-7-subway-extension |archive-date=June 20, 2015}} On December 21, 2009, it was announced that a tunnel-boring machine broke through the 34th Street station cavern wall.{{Cite news|title=West Side Development Project Gets The Green Light |url=http://bronx.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/110795/west-side-development-project-gets-the-green-light |work=NY1 |date=December 21, 2009 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407015716/http://bronx.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/110795/west-side-development-project-gets-the-green-light |archive-date=April 7, 2012 }} Both tunnel-boring machines were scheduled to finish the required tunneling in the spring of 2010.{{Cite news |title=Crews Lower Giant Drill Into 7 Line Tunnel |first=Bobby |last=Cuza |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/94220/crews-lower-giant-drill-into-7-line-tunnel/Default.aspx |work=NY1 |date=February 19, 2009 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090505113516/http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/94220/crews-lower-giant-drill-into-7-line-tunnel/Default.aspx |archive-date=May 5, 2009}}

In June 2010, one of the TBMs completed its tunnel at the cavern.{{Cite news |title=New Milestone for No. 7 Subway Extension Project |url=http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=74 |work=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |date=June 11, 2010 |access-date=June 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613001706/http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=74 |archive-date=June 13, 2010}} The second TBM broke through the wall of the cavern on July 15, 2010, completing its tunneling operation. The TBMs were partially disassembled and backed up to the 25th Street shaft, where they were lifted out.{{Cite news |title=New Milestone for No. 7 Subway Extension Project |url=http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=84 |work=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |date=July 15, 2010 |access-date=July 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724182516/http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=84 |archive-date=July 24, 2010}}{{Cite news |title=7 Train Extension Celebrates Major Breakthrough |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/122169/7-train-extension-celebrates-major-breakthrough |work=NY1 |date=July 15, 2010 |access-date=July 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929114316/http://www.ny1.com/content/122169/7-train-extension-celebrates-major-breakthrough |archive-date=September 29, 2012 }} In April 2011, the MTA announced that the contract covering the tunnels, the 34th Street station mezzanine and passenger platform was 85% complete, and that the systems contract, covering mechanical and electrical systems, electric power, lighting and train tracks would be awarded by July 2011. A second entrance to the station is planned.{{cite web |date=April 4, 2011 |url=http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=220 |title=Work on Extending the No. 7 Line Continues to Progress |website=MTA |access-date=April 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820074304/http://www.mta.info/news/stories/?story=220 |archive-date=August 20, 2011}} In May 2012, the MTA announced that the extension, now 65% complete, had received the installation of the first set of rails.{{cite magazine |magazine=Railway Age |url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/rapid-transit/nycts-no-7-extension-gets-first-rails.html |title=NYCT's No. 7 extension gets first rails |first=Luther S. |last=Miller |date=May 10, 2012 |access-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513010229/http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/rapid-transit/nycts-no-7-extension-gets-first-rails.html |url-status=dead }}

Image:7 Line Extension Ceremonia Ride vc.jpg

On August 21, 2013, the MTA announced that the 7 Subway Extension was 90% complete.{{cite news |url=http://www.mta.info/news/2013/08/21/7-line-extension-90-percent-complete |title=7 Line Extension 90 Percent Complete |publisher=MTA Press Release |access-date=August 22, 2013 |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702204517/http://www.mta.info/news/2013/08/21/7-line-extension-90-percent-complete |url-status=dead }} On December 20, 2013, Mayor Michael Bloomberg took a ceremonial ride on a train to the new terminal, celebrating a part of his legacy as Mayor; at the time, the proposed opening date was June 2014.{{cite news |title=Three cheers for the No. 7 extension |url=https://nypost.com/2013/12/20/mayor-mikes-hudson-yards-feat/ |date=December 20, 2013 |work=New York Post}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bloomberg-sneak-ride-7-line-extension-article-1.1554643 |title=Mayor Bloomberg gets ride on No. 7 subway line extension he championed |newspaper=NY Daily News |date=October 21, 2013 |last=Fermino |first=Jennifer |access-date=December 22, 2013 |location=New York |archive-date=December 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222004314/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/bloomberg-sneak-ride-7-line-extension-article-1.1554643 |url-status=dead }}

=Delays=

Soon after Bloomberg's ceremonial ride, the opening date of the subway extension was postponed from June to early fall 2014,{{cite news |title=More Delays and Rising Cost for Project Connecting L.I.R.R. to Grand Central Terminal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/28/nyregion/more-delays-and-rising-cost-for-project-connecting-lirr-to-grand-central-terminal.html |newspaper=New York Times |date=January 27, 2014 |first=Matt |last=Flegenheimer}} then to November 2014,{{cite web | last=Lynch | first=Marley | title=Subway update: 7-train extension to now open in November | website=Time Out New York | date=February 26, 2014 | url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/subway-update-7-train-extension-to-now-open-in-november | access-date=September 13, 2015 | archive-date=March 6, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306024137/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/subway-update-7-train-extension-to-now-open-in-november | url-status=dead }} then to February 2015,{{cite news |author=Mueller, Benjamin |title=Transit Hub and Work on No. 7 Line Face Delays |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/nyregion/mta-says-transit-plans-are-facing-new-delays.html |newspaper=New York Times |date=June 23, 2014}} and then to May 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/opening-no-7-subway-extension-delayed-spring-article-1.2046161 |title=New York will have to wait till spring for No. 7 subway extension |newspaper=NY Daily News |date=December 15, 2014 |last=Donohue |first=Pete |access-date=December 15, 2014}} Most of the problems were attributed to the incline elevators being installed in the station,{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/mta-building-incline-elevator-subway-article-1.1771896 |title=Metropolitan Transportation Authority building New York City subway system's first inclined elevator |work=New York Daily News |date=April 28, 2014 |access-date=April 29, 2014 |author=Donohue, Pete}} and to the ventilation fans along the tunnel.

On October 1, 2014, the MTA told the New York Daily News that the agency had signed a new agreement with the prime contractor, offering up to $4.75 million in incentive payments if the new station was finished and ready to open to the public by February 24, 2015.{{cite news |author=Donohue, Pete |date=October 1, 2014 |title=No. 7 subway line extension to West Side on track to open in February: official |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/7-subway-extension-west-side-track-feb-opening-official-article-1.1958783 |newspaper=New York Daily News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141001073705/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/7-subway-extension-west-side-track-feb-opening-official-article-1.1958783 |archive-date=October 1, 2014}}

Just two and a half months later, though, the MTA stated that it was unable to open the subway extension for service until April to July 2015, due to the failure to get the inclined elevators to work properly.{{cite web |author=Sill, Andrew |date=December 15, 2014 |title=Hudson Yards subway extension delayed again |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/No-7-Line-Station-Queens-Extension-Subway-Delayed-Hudson-Yards-285830651.html |website=NBC New York}} Problems with the security and fire alarm systems were also blamed for the delays.{{cite web |author=Goldberg, Barbara |title=NYC subway extension may transform Manhattan neighborhood |url=http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nyc-subway-extension-coming-20141221-story.html |date=December 21, 2014 |publisher=McCall.com |access-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230223351/http://www.mcall.com/news/nationworld/pennsylvania/mc-nyc-subway-extension-coming-20141221-story.html |url-status=dead }} A December 2014 New York Post article attributed the delay to the Hudson Yards rail yard development's developer, The Related Companies', need to dig caissons for the foundations, just above the subway station, and the foundation work needed to be complete before the MTA could open the station.{{cite news |title=7 train opening delayed |first=Rebecca |last=Harshbarger |url=https://nypost.com/2014/12/15/7-train-opening-delayed/ |date=December 15, 2014 |newspaper=New York Post}} Continuing trouble with the fire and security alarms in March 2015 would delay the opening until summer.{{cite web |title=7 subway line extension delayed yet again, eyes summer opening |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2015/03/24/7-subway-line-extension-delayed-yet-again-eyes.html |date=March 24, 2015 |website=New York Business Journal}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/nyregion/more-delays-for-no-7-subway-line-extension.html |title=More Delays for No. 7 Subway Line Extension |work=The New York Times |date=March 24, 2015 |access-date=March 29, 2015 |first=Emma G. |last=Fitzsimmons}}

The use of inclined elevators was intended to provide wheelchair-using patrons with a shorter, easier path to the train platform, as well as to reduce tunneling costs. The two elevators were manufactured by Maspero Elevatori, in Appiano Gentile, Italy, using a controller made on Long Island, speed governors made in Ohio, and buttons and other parts in Queens. The software for the elevator was written in the United States. Maspero Elevatori assembled the elevators in Italy, and they failed an operational test there, prior to being shipped to the United States. The MTA said the manufacturer chose to use American subcontractors in place of local Italian suppliers after reading the specifications the transit agency submitted. The MTA had been working with the manufacturer to try to resolve the problems caused by a very high level of customization.

On June 1, 2015, a representative for the MTA described the extension as "99% complete". That day, test runs of 7 trains started running to 34th Street–Hudson Yards in preparation for the summer 2015 opening of the extension.{{cite web |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/06/01/no-7-subway-line-extension-training/ |title=MTA Begins Training Employees On No. 7 Line Extension |work=CBS News |date=June 1, 2015 |access-date=June 1, 2015}} However, on June 15, the extension was postponed again to "before the end of the third quarter".{{cite web |url=http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/06/15/mta--7-line-extension-to-open-up-before-end-of-october.html |title=MTA: 7 Line Extension to Open Up Before End of Third Quarter |work=NY1 |date=June 15, 2015 |access-date=June 20, 2015 |first=Jose |last=Martinez}} On July 20, 2015, it was reported that the MTA planned to open the extension to the public on September 13, 2015.{{cite web |title=7 Line Extension Will Open "By September 13th" |url=http://gothamist.com/2015/07/20/7_extension_opening.php |work=Gothamist |first=Emma |last=Whitford |date=July 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722171131/http://gothamist.com/2015/07/20/7_extension_opening.php |archive-date=July 22, 2015 }}{{cite web |last=Siff |first=Andrew |date=July 2015 |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Hudson-Yards-7-Train-Subway-Extension-Opens-September-MTA-NY-317585901.html |title=Hudson Yards Subway Extension to Open in September: MTA |work=NBC New York}} The opening date was confirmed on August 28, 2015.{{cite web |last=Tangel |first=Andrew |title=At Last: New Station for 7 Train Set to Open |website=WSJ |date=August 28, 2015 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-last-new-station-for-7-train-set-to-open-1440723162 |access-date=September 10, 2015}}{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Philip |title=No. 7 station to open at last on 11th Ave. in Manhattan |website=TimesLedger |date=September 10, 2015 |url=http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2015/37/7train_2015_09_11_q.html |access-date=September 10, 2015 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925020658/http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2015/37/7train_2015_09_11_q.html |url-status=dead }} The station was opened at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 13 at about 1 p.m.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003930/http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html|access-date=March 10, 2016|title=New 34 St-Hudson Yards 7 Station Opens|work=Building for the Future|publisher=Metropolitan Transit Authority|location=New York, New York|quote=The new station opened September 13, 2015}}

=Gallery=

Image:7Line 8313 (6801443789).jpg|Digging the station cavern

Image:7 Line Ext Site P 555 W34 11 jeh.jpg|Construction Site P, 11th Avenue and 33rd Street in May 2010

Image:IRT 7 extension work nite jeh.jpg|Extension work during night time

Image:7Line 8112 (6801435431).jpg|alt=Tunnel under construction on January 26, 2012|Tunnel under construction {{as of|2012|1|26|df=us|lc=yes}}

Image:7Line 8291 (6801441687).jpg|Mezzanine and trackways under construction

Image:7Line 8265 (6801440795).jpg|Tunnel portals at end of station cavern

Image:Flushing Extension vc.jpg|alt=Construction of tracks connecting Times Square Station to the line extension in March 2012|Building tracks connecting Times Square to the line extension in March 2012

Image:7 Subway Extension 2012-09-14.jpg|Tunnel progress in September 2012

Image:7 Subway Extension 2012-09-21.jpg|Ventilation structure at 11th Avenue and 36th Street, near construction site K

Image:7 Subway Extension tunnel construction.jpg|Tunnel on the 7 Subway Extension, under construction

Image:SiteJ 34st Station Mid Point Platform April 2013 (9084530371).jpg|Tracks in the station, April 2013

Image:7 Extension.jpg|alt=The 7 Subway Extension, as viewed from Times Square Station on November 25, 2013|Extension, as viewed from Times Square on November 25, 2013. The fake wall has been removed

Image:34th St Flushing line canopy 2014 May 1 jeh.jpg|Station entrance under construction in May 2014

Image:SiteA Completed Building June 2014 (9086747190).jpg|Rendering of Site A building between 25th and 26th Street, June 2013

Construction areas

=34th Street–Hudson Yards station=

Image:7ExtensionMezzanine20110614.jpg station mezzanine as of June 2011]]

The 34th Street–Hudson Yards station is under the intersection of 11th Avenue and 34th Street. It is the only station on the extension, and it opened on September 13, 2015.{{cite web |last=Fitzsimmons |first=Emma G. |title=Subway Station for 7 Line Opens on Far West Side |website=The New York Times |date=September 10, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/nyregion/no-7-subway-station-far-west-side-manhattan.html |access-date=September 13, 2015}}{{cite web |title=New 7 line subway extension to the West Side opens |website=ABC7 New York |date=September 13, 2015 |url=http://abc7ny.com/980231/ |access-date=September 13, 2015}}{{cite web |last=Tangel |first=Andrew |title=New Subway Station Opens on NYC's Far West Side |website=WSJ |date=September 13, 2015 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-subway-station-opens-on-nycs-far-west-side-1442171470 |access-date=September 13, 2015}} The MTA says that the new station will "make it possible for new housing, restaurants and entertainment to grow" in the surrounding neighborhoods, including Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea.{{cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/capital/future/extension.php |title=7 Line Extension |author=Staff writer(s) |publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |access-date=July 3, 2013}} The station is also close to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.{{cite web |last=Green |first=Dennis |title=A series of delays have kept a now fully completed subway station under Manhattan from opening |website=Business Insider |date=April 29, 2015 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/why-the-7-line-extension-still-isnt-open-2015-4 |access-date=September 13, 2015 |quote=The troubled extension ... will eventually extend the 7 train one station west to serve a new development over the West Side Yard train tracks (known as Hudson Yards) and finally provide a rail link to the Jacob Javits Convention Center.}}

Passenger access to the station includes a pair of incline elevators. The project has been plagued by delays because of the mishaps involved in the installation of the custom-made elevators.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/30/nyregion/trouble-with-diagonal-elevator-held-up-no-7-subway-expansion.html |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Matt |last=Flegenheimer |date=May 29, 2014 |access-date=May 29, 2014 |title=With New Slant on Subway Elevators, Expect Delays}} In June 2012, the extension's opening was delayed to June 2014, with the rest of the 34th Street–Hudson Yards station to open at the end of 2015;{{cite news |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/trans/162481/mta-s-7-line-extension-project-pushed-back-six-months |title=MTA's 7 Line Extension Project Pushed Back Six Months |work=NY1 |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=June 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711160459/http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/162481/mta-s-7-line-extension-project-pushed-back-six-months |archive-date=July 11, 2012}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/realestate/commercial/no_train_mos_late_BEjKsCL51LL06ZSZ58ZOiI |title=No. 7 train 6 mos. late |work=New York Post |first=Steve |last=Cuozzo |date=June 5, 2012 |access-date=June 5, 2012}} {{as of|2014|12|15|df=us}}, the opening date was changed to mid-2015. In April 2014, the first of the {{convert|170|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} incline elevators was installed in the station. The {{convert|80|ft|m|adj=on}} high incline elevators{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/21/nyregion/for-a-mayor-on-his-way-out-a-subway-station-on-its-way-in.html |title=For a Mayor on His Way Out, a Subway Station on Its Way In |newspaper=The New York Times |first=Matt |last=Flegenheimer |date=December 20, 2013 |access-date=December 24, 2013}} are the first of their kind in the system. The station is the third station in the New York City Subway to have low vibration tracks installed. These tracks provide a smoother, quieter ride for passengers, and eliminate the need for wooden track blocks.

=Above-ground structures=

The extension contains five street-level structures:{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html|title=Capital Program 7 Line Extension|date=December 20, 2013|publisher=MTA.info|access-date=January 30, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003930/http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html|url-status=dead}}

Site A, a ventilation building at 11th Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets
Site J, a ventilation building at 11th Avenue between 33rd and 34th Streets next to the main entrance and elevator entrance, which was originally a free-standing structure and subsequently incorporated into 55 Hudson Yards.{{cite web |date=May 17, 2018 |url=https://www.dattner.com/news/2018/05/17/infrastructure-week-constructability/ |title=Infrastructure Week: Constructability |website=Dattner Architects |access-date=March 11, 2025}}
Site K, a ventilation building at 11th Avenue between 35th and 37th Streets
Site L, a ventilation building at 41st Street and Dyer Avenue
Site P, the secondary station entrance between 11th Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets

Proposals

Image:7 Subway Extension diamond crossover at 34th St.jpg

={{Anchor|Proposed 10th Avenue station|10th Avenue}}10th Avenue station=

Although a new station at 10th Avenue and 41st Street was part of the original plan, the intermediate station was eliminated in October 2007 due to cost overruns, leaving the terminal station at Eleventh Avenue and 34th Street as the only new station on the extension. The MTA indicated that the 10th Avenue station could be included in the project if funding were found.{{Cite news|title=Transit Board Approves Funding For 7 Line Extension |url=http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=74957 |work=NY1 |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325054207/http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=74957 |archive-date=March 25, 2008 }} The station was not included in the original (2007) contract award, but was listed as a $450 million option. In late December 2007, reports indicated that the postponed station might be partially built if the City of New York and the MTA agreed on the additional financing for the station shell.{{Cite news|title=7 Line Extension May Get 41st Street Stop |first=Marlene |last=Naanes |url=http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-mta1221,0,632084.story |newspaper=amNewYork |date=December 20, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513011927/http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-mta1221%2C0%2C632084.story |archive-date=May 13, 2009 |url-status=dead }} In February 2009, the MTA announced that it would build the station if the agency received sufficient funds from the federal economic stimulus package.{{Cite news |title=Will the Stimulus Save 7 Extension Stop? |first=Benjamin |last=Kabak |url=http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/02/02/will-the-stimulus-save-7-extension-stop/ |work=Second Ave. Sagas |date=February 2, 2009 |access-date=February 28, 2010}} In June 2010, the city announced it was seeking funding to assess the feasibility of constructing the station at a later date using a two-platform, two-entrance model without an underground connecting passage.{{Cite news |title=Outcry Emerges for 41st St. Stop on New 7-Line |first=Theresa |last=Agovino |url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100216/FREE/100219925 |newspaper=Crain's New York Business |date=February 16, 2010 |access-date=April 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100218115623/http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100216/FREE/100219925 |archive-date=February 18, 2010 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=West Side Developers Fight For 7 Line Extension |first=Jill |last=Urban |url=http://www.ny1.com/1-all-boroughs-news-content/ny1_living/116312/west-side-developers-fight-for-7-line-extension |work=NY1 |date=April 2, 2010 |access-date=April 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417140042/http://www.ny1.com/1-all-boroughs-news-content/ny1_living/116312/west-side-developers-fight-for-7-line-extension/ |archive-date=April 17, 2010 }}{{Cite news|title=City Officials Seek Federal Assistance For 7 Subway Extension |url=http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top_stories/117672/city-officials-seek-federal-assistance-for-7-subway-extension |work=NY1 |date=April 27, 2010 |access-date=April 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531155214/http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top_stories/117672/city-officials-seek-federal-assistance-for-7-subway-extension |archive-date=May 31, 2010 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite news|title=City Considering 10th Avenue Stop For 7 Train |url=http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/120156/city-considering-10th-avenue-stop-for-7-train |work=NY1 |date=June 10, 2010 |access-date=June 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927055352/http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/120156/city-considering-10th-avenue-stop-for-7-train |archive-date=September 27, 2012 }}{{Cite news|title=Mayor Applies For Funds To Redesign 7 Train Extension |url=http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top_stories/121366/mayor-applies-for-funds-to-redesign-7-train-extension |work=NY1 |date=June 30, 2010 |access-date=June 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714220335/http://manhattan.ny1.com/content/top_stories/121366/mayor-applies-for-funds-to-redesign-7-train-extension |archive-date=July 14, 2011 }}

Construction of the line proceeded to its completion in 2014 without the station or its shell.MTA.info—{{YouTube|id=3H6RiLzW7ng|title=Video Release: Mayor Bloomberg Rides First 7 Train to 34 St - 12/20/2013}}. Retrieved May 27, 2014. (The tunnel wall flattens out between approximately 2:58 and 3:11 into the video.)[http://secondavenuesagas.com/2011/05/06/video-of-the-day-inside-the-7-extension/ Video inside the 7 extension] Second Avenue Sagas.com In January 2016, the New York City Economic Development Corporation released a request for proposal (RFP) for a site of a proposed development at 41st Street and Tenth Avenue,{{cite web |last=Rajamani |first=Maya |date=2016-04-04 |title=MTA Revives Plans for 10th Avenue Station on 7 Line |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160404/hells-kitchen-clinton/mta-revives-plans-for-10th-avenue-station-on-7-line |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110213230/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160404/hells-kitchen-clinton/mta-revives-plans-for-10th-avenue-station-on-7-line |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |access-date=2021-06-08 |website=DNAinfo New York}}{{cite web |last=Plitt |first=Amy |date=January 27, 2016 |title=City Seeking Proposals For Huge Midtown West Mixed-Use Site |url=http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2016/01/27/city_seeking_proposals_for_huge_midtown_west_mixeduse_site.php |access-date=January 29, 2016 |website=Curbed NY}} including a study into the 10th Avenue station's feasibility.{{Cite web |title=HELL'S KITCHEN AT TENTH |url=http://www.nycedc.com/system/files/rfp/documents/Hells%20Kitchen%20at%20Tenth%20RFP%205924.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202023641/http://www.nycedc.com/system/files/rfp/documents/Hells%20Kitchen%20at%20Tenth%20RFP%205924.pdf |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |access-date=January 29, 2016 |df=mdy-all}} The new station was projected to cost $1 billion at the time.{{Cite web |last=Plitt |first=Amy |date=April 4, 2016 |title=MTA May Be Reconsidering a 7 Line Station at Tenth Avenue |url=http://ny.curbed.com/2016/4/4/11360320/nyc-subway-new-station-midtown-west |access-date=April 4, 2016 |website=Curbed NY}} New York City Council candidate Erik Bottcher proposed completing the station in mid-2021,{{cite web |last=Garber |first=Nick |date=2021-06-07 |title=Hells Kitchen Candidate Wants To Revive Proposed 7 Train Station |url=https://patch.com/new-york/midtown-nyc/hells-kitchen-candidate-wants-revive-proposed-7-train-station |access-date=2021-06-08 |website=Midtown-Hell's Kitchen, NY Patch}} and elected officials again pushed for the station's construction in August 2022.{{cite web |last=Duggan |first=Kevin |date=August 10, 2022 |title=Manhattan pols revive push for 10th Avenue station on No. 7 train in Hell's Kitchen |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/10th-avenue-station-in-hells-kitchen/ |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=amNewYork}}{{cite web |last=Rahmanan |first=Anna |date=August 10, 2022 |title=Could Hell's Kitchen finally get a new subway station? Officials are pushing for it |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/could-hells-kitchen-finally-get-a-new-subway-station-officials-are-pushing-for-it-081022 |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Time Out New York}} By 2023, the MTA predicted that the station could cost $1.9 billion.{{cite web |last=Kaske |first=Michelle |date=October 4, 2023 |title=MTA Unveils a Plan to Fix NYC's Aging Transit System |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-04/mta-details-plan-to-fix-aging-system-fight-storms-through-2044 |access-date=October 6, 2023 |website=Bloomberg.com}}

=Extensions to New Jersey=

In 2010, The New York Times reported that Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration had been considering an extension to Hoboken and to Secaucus Junction in New Jersey, allowing commuters from that state to more easily access Grand Central Terminal and other subway routes.{{Cite news |title=Take the No. 7 to Secaucus? |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/nyregion/17tunnel.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 17, 2010 |access-date=July 3, 2013}} If opened, the extension would take the New York City Subway outside the borders of both New York City and New York state for the first time.{{Cite news |title=New York Studies Extending Subway Line to New Jersey |first=Charles V. |last=Bagli |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/nyregion/17tunnel.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 16, 2010 |access-date=November 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118062720/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/nyregion/17tunnel.html |archive-date=November 18, 2010 |url-status=live}} The planned extension would have cost less than the canceled Access to the Region's Core project, but travel times would be longer than the ARC project.{{cite news |url=http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2010/nov/16/mayor-bloomberg-explores-extending-subway-new-jersey/ |title=Mayor Bloomberg Explores Extending Subway to New Jersey |publisher=WNYC |first=Andrea |last=Bernstein |date=November 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101120020352/http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2010/nov/16/mayor-bloomberg-explores-extending-subway-new-jersey/ |archive-date=November 20, 2010 }} The project, which could require five additional years to develop, would not be automatically entitled to the federal funding allotted to the ARC tunnel.{{cite news |url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2010/11/17/nyc-subway-line-may-continue-into-n-j/ |title=NJ Commuters Like 7 Train Extension Plan |publisher=WCBS |date=November 17, 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/Tunnel-to-Nowhere-Might-Become-7-to-Secaucus-108680929.html |title=Tunnel to Nowhere Might Become 7 to Secaucus |publisher=WNBC |date=November 17, 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7794331 |title=7 Subway Extension to NJ (Video) |publisher=WABC |first=Jaime |last=Roth |date=November 17, 2010 |access-date=November 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629045224/http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=7794331 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }}

On February 2, 2011, the city's Economic Development Corporation voted to budget up to $250,000 for a feasibility study of the proposed New Jersey extension, carried out by engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff.{{cite web|url=http://transportationnation.org/2011/02/04/city-finally-puts-behind-subway-to-new-jersey/|title=City finally puts $ behind subway to New Jersey|last=Bernstein|first=Andrea|date=February 4, 2011|publisher=Transportation Nation|access-date=February 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206082530/http://transportationnation.org/2011/02/04/city-finally-puts-behind-subway-to-new-jersey/|archive-date=February 6, 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/48185181/No-7-Extension-Executive-Committee-Item-Final-Draft-2|title=No. 7 Line Extension to Secaucus Consultant Services|last=New York City Economic Development Commission|date=February 2, 2011|publisher=www.scribd.com|format=PDF|access-date=February 7, 2011}} Amtrak's February 2011 announcement of the Gateway Project, which entailed two new commuter rail tunnels under the Hudson River, included a proposal to extend the 7 service three blocks east of Eleventh Avenue to New York Penn Station, instead of five miles west to Secaucus.{{cite web|page=7 |title=Gateway Project |publisher=Amtrak |date=February 2011 |url=http://lautenberg.senate.gov/assets/Gateway.pdf |access-date=February 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110207210953/http://lautenberg.senate.gov/assets/Gateway.pdf |archive-date=February 7, 2011 |url-status=dead }} Congress allocated $15 million for studies for the project in November 2011, with the likelihood that Gateway and the subway extension would be in competition for funding.{{Cite news |last=Higgs |first=Larry |title=Tunnelvision Gateway project, No. 7 train extension latest to vie for trans-Hudson blessing |newspaper=Asbury Park Press |date=December 4, 2011 |url=http://www.app.com/article/20111204/NJOPINION06/312040019/Gateway-project-No-7-line-extension-latest-vie-trans-Hudson-blessing?odyssey=nav%7Chead |access-date=December 5, 2011 }} In April 2012, citing budget considerations, the director of the MTA, Joe Lhota, said that it was doubtful the extension would be built in the foreseeable future.{{Cite news |last=Haughney |first=Christine |title=MTA Chief rules out subway line to New Jersey |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 3, 2012 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/nyregion/transit-agency-chief-rules-out-new-york-new-jersey-subway.html |access-date=April 4, 2012 }} After the Parsons Brinckerhoff feasibility study was released in April 2013,{{cite news|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2013/04/plan_to_extend_no_7_city_subwa.html|title=Plan to extend No. 7 subway from NYC to New Jersey could be back on track|last=Frassinelli|first=Mike|date=April 10, 2013|newspaper=The Star-Ledger|access-date=April 10, 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/NY_No_7_Subway_to_Secaucus.html|title=Report: Extending NY No. 7 subway line to Secaucus would accommodate commuter demand|last=Rouse|first=Karen|date=April 10, 2013|newspaper=The Record|access-date=April 10, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413011350/http://www.northjersey.com/news/NY_No_7_Subway_to_Secaucus.html|archive-date=April 13, 2013}} Bloomberg said: "Extending the 7 train to Secaucus is a promising potential solution ... and is deserving of serious consideration."{{cite report |author=Parsons Brinckerhoff |title=No 7 Secaucus Extension Feasibility Analysis Final Report |publisher=NYCEDC |date=April 2013 |url=http://www.nycedc.com/sites/default/files/filemanager/Resources/Studies/No_7_Secaucus_Extension_Final_Report_April_2013.pdf |access-date=April 10, 2013 |page=III–X |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105204804/http://www.nycedc.com/sites/default/files/filemanager/Resources/Studies/No_7_Secaucus_Extension_Final_Report_April_2013.pdf |url-status=dead }} In November 2013, the New Jersey Assembly passed Resolution 168{{cite web |title=AN ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION supporting the extension of the New York City IRT Flushing Line into the State of New Jersey. |work=ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 168 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 215th LEGISLATURE |publisher=New Jersey Legislature |date=May 13, 2013 |url=http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/AR/168_I1.PDF |access-date=November 26, 2013 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919135250/https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/AR/168_I1.PDF |url-status=dead }} supporting the extension of the line to Hoboken and Secaucus.{{cite web |last=Brenzel |first=Kathryn |title=Committee green lights expansion of NYC subway to Hoboken |publisher=NJ.com |date=November 26, 2013 |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2013/11/no_7_expansion.html#incart_river_default |access-date=November 26, 2013}}

In 2017, a further extension of the 7 train to New Jersey was suggested once again, this time as an alternative to constructing a replacement for the Port Authority Bus Terminal.{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2017/04/new_york_subway_extension_to_nj_may_not_be_dead_after_all.html|title=New York subway extension to N.J. may not be dead after all|last=Higgs|first=Larry|date=April 21, 2017|website=NJ.com|access-date=February 28, 2018}} An alternative would include a new terminal at Secaucus Junction in connection with the 7 extension.{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Sandy | title = On-Again, Off-Again New Jersey Bus Terminal May Be On Again | publisher = Next City | date = April 26, 2017 | url = https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/new-jersey-bus-terminal-norway-airport-transit-la-metro-tunnel-boring | access-date = May 5, 2017}} In February 2018, it was revealed that the Port Authority had advertised for consultants to write an 18-month feasibility study for such an extension, and that it had received bids from several companies. This extension was being planned along with the Gateway Project and, if built, would be able to accommodate a projected 38% increase in the number of people commuting between the two states.{{cite web|url=https://www.amny.com/transit/7-train-nj-1.16981061|title=Cross-Hudson study options include 7 line extension into NJ|last=Barone|first=Vincent|date=February 27, 2018|website=am New York|access-date=February 28, 2018}} If the New Jersey subway extension were constructed, it could complement the Gateway Project, which was predicted to become overcrowded by 2040.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/nyregion/subway-expand-new-jersey.html|title=A Subway Ride to New Jersey? It Could Happen, Officials Say|last=McGeehan|first=Patrick|date=February 27, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 28, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/transit-study-running-no-7-train-new-jersey-article-1.3844933|title=Transit study will look into running No. 7 train into New Jersey|date=February 13, 2018|last=Rivoli|first=Dan|website=NY Daily News|access-date=February 28, 2018}} At the time, the Port Authority was upgrading the PATH system, the only rapid transit link between New York and New Jersey, to accommodate more frequent trains.

=Extension to 14th Street=

The Regional Plan Association, in its Fourth Plan in 2017, proposed extending the 7 subway down the tail tracks and the Hudson waterfront to a new station at 14th Street and Tenth Avenue, with an intermediate stop at 23rd Street and Eleventh Avenue. If constructed, the new Tenth Avenue station would feature a pedestrian connection to the 14th Street/Eighth Avenue station, with transfers to the {{NYCS trains|14th Eighth}}, and the tunnel would be configured to allow for a New Jersey extension.{{cite web|title=Fourth Regional Plan - Regional Plan Association|url=http://fourthplan.org/|publisher=Regional Plan Association|date=November 2017 |access-date=January 22, 2022}}

Awards and innovations

The New York State Society of Professional Engineers awarded the first construction phase, "Running Tunnels and Underground Structures," its 2013 Construction Project of the Year. According to the society, the project team won the award "for outstanding professional engineering efforts in developing creative solutions and innovative technologies in construction of an infrastructure project. The No. 7 project used the first double-shielded tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to tunnel under New York City while placing precast concrete segments to form the tunnels' walls. For the first time in the world, a ground freezing method was used to harden soil to act as rock to allow TBMs to maintain proper course while boring and placing the tunnel liners."{{cite web |url=http://www.tunnelingonline.com/new-york-state-society-of-professional-engineers-award/ |title=New York State Society of Professional Engineers Recognizes No. 7 Line Project |date=July 3, 2013 |website=Tunnel Business Magazine |access-date=August 20, 2013}} While the extension extends {{convert|1|mi|km}}, the tunnels are actually {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} long.{{cite web |url=http://web.mta.info/capital/future/extension.php |work=MTA.info |access-date=November 10, 2013 |title=7 Line Extension}}

References

External links

{{external media

| headerimage = Image:7Line 5335 (5836127809).jpg

| topic = YouTube video clips about the 7 Subway Extension by Metropolitan Transportation Authority

| width = 220px

| float = right

| video1 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=duS5eqiAZEM Update], January 12, 2010; 2:31

| video2 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3Ua2tvc6RM Update], July 16, 2010; 3:12

| video3 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OmEsYhPaYs Update], May 4, 2011; 2:58

| video4 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8CKb5lMR_E Update], November 16, 2011; 2:26

| video5 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogoQC5kFi6g Update – Rails being delivered], May 10, 2012; 2:52

| video6 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugFZSPcJWTU Update], December 4, 2012; 3:07

| video7 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H6RiLzW7ng Inaugural Ride], December 20, 2013; 9:30

| video8 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ6L4RcHzQU 7 Line Extension Train Operator and Dispatcher Training], May 31, 2015; 3:39

| video9 = [//www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHJZ7_YGOUw 34 St-Hudson Yards Station], September 13, 2015; 4:51

}}

{{Commons category-inline}}
[http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html 7 Subway Extension Update] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304003930/http://web.mta.info/capital/no7_alt.html |date=March 4, 2016 }} – Official MTA 7 Subway Extension Project Page (updated November 2008 and October 2009)
[http://www.mta.info/news/2010/07/15/new-milestone-no-7-subway-extension-project New Milestone for No. 7 Subway Extension Project] – MTA.info Website (June 11, 2010).
[http://www.mta.info/news/2011/04/04/work-extending-no-7-line-continues-progress Work on Extending the No. 7 Line Continues to Progress] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413144732/http://www.mta.info/news/2011/04/04/work-extending-no-7-line-continues-progress |date=April 13, 2014 }} – MTA.info Website (April 4, 2011).
[http://www.facebook.com/album.php?fbid=10150157092154091&id=250313209090&aid=297465 7 Extension Progress April 2011 (5 photos)] – MTA's Facebook Website
[http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150222196579091.326505.250313209090 7 Extension Progress June 14, 2011 (29 photos)] – MTA's Facebook Website
[http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150540813459091.386710.250313209090&type=1 7 Extension Update – January 26, 2012 (27 photos)] – MTA's Facebook Website
[https://web.archive.org/web/20140330142116/http://www.subwaytosecaucus.com/ Subway to Secaucus – Our Proposal] original proposal for New Jersey extension