MTA Threatens To Sue Feds Over Second Avenue Subway Funding Freeze

NEW YORK CITY — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Wednesday said it will sue the Trump administration if they don't release $60 million of funding for the Second Avenue Subway extension by next week.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said the agency has given the Trump administration until March 6 or face legal action.

Lieber made the comments during the agency's board monthly meeting. The MTA has sent the federal government a letter asking them to release the funds, or they will file a lawsuit.

“DOT’s refusal to comply with its payment obligations has jeopardized the Project and placed the MTA in an impossible position, requiring it to plug the gap by diverting critical transportation infrastructure funding from other priorities,” the agency's letter reads which was obtained by AMNY. “Unless all past due reimbursements are paid by March 6, 2026, the MTA will have no choice but to seek expedited judicial relief.”

The East Harlem extension of the Second Avenue subway, a $6.9 billion project, will add three new stations along the Q line at 106th St, 116th St, and 125th St.

The funding freeze could impact the excavation of new stations at 106th St and 125th St., according to Lieber.

“Unless funding is resumed immediately, MTA will be forced to delay final authorization of major contract awards necessary to progress the Project, creating a “domino effect” of cascading delays and inflated costs,” according to the letter.

The White House has not commented yet on the MTA's stance. The Trump administration froze funding for the project in October.