In light of the indefinite pause on NYC’s congestion pricing program, the MTA has had to shift priorities with a sudden loss of expected funding. One of those shifts include a halt on the expansion of the Second Avenue Subway, a project that’s been in the works for years. But first, lets clarify how the pause on congestion pricing is really impacting the MTA.

NYC’s congestion pricing program, which would be the nation’s first, was supposed to generate $15 billion in transit investment by charging passenger vehicles a $15 toll for entering the Central Business District (CBD) below 60th Street. This funding was going to support various MTA upgrades to its elevators, platforms, fare gates, surveillance software and of course, the Second Avenue Subway expansion.

However, without that investment, the MTA can no longer use that money source to fund many of its projects. Governor Kathy Hochul assured the city that there are state funds to combat the sudden loss, but progress on certain MTA improvements are now in jeopardy.

Moreover, this past Wednesday, the MTA voted to deduct $16.5 billion from its capital budget as a result of the pause on congestion pricing. Prior to the vote, MTA Chairman and CEO, Janno Leiber, said “We can work to make sure that improvement and expansion projects that are being moved down the list—and the accessibility impacts break my heart—but we can make sure that they are ready to go when the funding shows up.”

The Second Avenue Subway expansion was in phase 2 as of January 2024 after Governor Hochul awarded heavy civil contractor C.A.C. Industries, Inc. a $182 million utility relocation contract to do the job. This phase was going to extend the Q line into Harlem with new stations at Second Avenue and 125th Street. After completion, phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway expansion was supposed to service an average of 100,000 riders daily. Yet for the time being, those 100,000 daily riders will have to keep waiting until new funding allows for progress on the project.

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* This article was originally published here

Though the NYC to Dublin portal was temporarily shut down due to profane behavior, this new type of portal coming to NYC is actually all about disrobing. But before you jump to conclusions, rest assured it’s not what you think.

The Finnish Long Drink is bringing what they are calling a “Happiness Portal” to NYC that transports people from the hustle and bustle of our city streets to the happiest place on earth, Finland! So where does the disrobing come into play? New Yorkers will get to experience a Finish secret that’s their key to happiness: a Finnish spa experience.

Visitors can actually step into this Happiness Portal with a dry sauna, cold plunge and Finnish-inspired country cottage on a first come first served basis. Plus, guests will of course be able to sip on the a Long Drink. It will only be in the city for the weekend (June 27-29).

So how can Finnish spa experiences improve your happiness? Well, entering the sauna will boost blood flow, skin rejuvenation and muscle relaxation. Shortly after, participants can submerge their body in an “outdoor” cold plunge surrounded by the Finnish wilderness to reset their mood before nestling into a Finnish cottage, better known as Mökkielämä, to embrace Finnish lifestyle.

The entire experience lasts for a duration of one hour. It’s completely free to enter, but you must be 21+ years old (with a valid ID).

433 Broadway, New York

June 27-29

The post A New Type Of Portal Is Coming To NYC…And This One Actually Encourages Disrobing appeared first on Secret NYC.

* This article was originally published here