MTA's Capital Plan to Pass Final Hurdle, By Default

When the calendar flips to 2020 the MTA's largest ever capital plan will pass without hitting any final snags.

As mandated by state law, once the MTA's $51.5 billion capital plan passed the MTA board, it's supposed to go before a panel of state and city representatives -- called the Capital Program Review Board -- for final tweaks and approval.

Past plans were held up for months in that step.

This year Governor Cuomo wanted to be on the panel himself, and asked Mayor de Blasio to join him. The mayor declined. The governor must approve the members of the panel. So, it never met.

"You don't have an ideal situation and this process shouldn't set a precedent for the future," Rachael Fauss with Reinvent Albany, said.

“We have provided input on numerous occasions about the capital plan to the MTA, including presenting conditions to safeguard taxpayers dollars and raising questions about project timelines and cash flows. We will continue to work with stakeholders on next steps so that riders get the most for their money,” a spokesperson for the mayor said.