As part of the proposal to redevelop the Hudson Yards area of Midtown West, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has proposed the construction and operation of an extension of the No. 7 line to serve the Hudson Yards area. On October 5, 2006, New York City and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority agreed on a $2.1 billion expansion for the No. 7 train as part of the development of the MTA’s rail yards on the West Side of Manhattan. The 1.5-mile extension of the No. 7 line will take the subway further west from its current finish point at Times Square and continue it along 41st Street and 11th Avenue, and then south to a new terminal at 34th Street and 11th Avenue.
Supporters of the No. 7 line extension argue that Midtown West is lagging economically because of the lack of mass transportation. They also argue that the Javits convention center expansion will not succeed without it. Opponents point to existing rail infrastructure that could be redeveloped at a lower cost, allowing the MTA to invest in the Second Avenue Subway and East River Access projects instead.