New York City gave up the profit-making TBTA, along the the TA, when the MTA was formed in 1968. As part of the deal, improvements were promised, some for the commuter railroads, and some for the subways. The Second Ave subway was part of the deal, so was the LIRR to GCT. From the 1969 NYC Plan, I guess that the 63rd St tunnel and Archer Ave were also in the plan, along with rolling stock purchases and grade separation on the Babylon line.
Now the big debate is whether city residents should insist on the 2nd Avenue in exchange for the LIRR to GCT, or should help pay for LIRR to GCT with a suggestion that perhaps the rest of the state will help pay for 2nd Avenue -- someday.
Which leads me to a question -- what was in the original MTA plan, and what was actually built? How did we do with THAT promise? Before I spend a lunch hour on it, does anyone know the answer?