State Review Board Nixes MTA Capital Program

A state review board vetoed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's ambitious 2015-2019 capital program on Tuesday, adding another speed bump to the infrastructure plan, which has faced problems since its inception.

In a letter to MTA chairman, Thomas F. Prendergast, the chair of the Capital Program Review Board, Joan McDonald, formally vetoed the $32 billion plan, saying the decision was "made without prejudice to any particular element or project that is contained in the proposal."

From the onset of the 2015-2019 capital program, it faced a funding deficit. Of the $32 billion needed for what Prendergast said are "critical" infrastructure upgrades — including continued expansion of the Second Avenue Subway, the completion of East Side Access, and a push to build four new Metro-North stations in the Bronx — the MTA can only pay half the bill. The agency said it was looking for ways to raise money, but none of their fund-raising proposals were explored in detail in its capital program. 

McDonald didn't completely close the door on the plan, saying the review board looked forward "to continuing the dialogue" with the MTA, State Legislature and key stakeholders to improve the capital program and address infrastructure investments that are essential to the region's economic well-being. 

Capital Program Veto Letter