The massive construction project to bring the LIRR to Grand Central Terminal could take at least two years longer and cost $1.5 billion more than expected, MTA officials acknowledged Monday.
The new LIRR terminal at Grand Central was scheduled to open in August 2019 but now could take as long as September 2021, according to an MTA review presented to board members.
Meanwhile, the price tag of the project could soar to $9.69 billion, up from $8.24 billion, officials said.
A far-less optimistic Federal Transit Administration analysis projected completion dates as late as September 2023 — and put the cost at a staggering $10.77 billion.
The MTA said it’s major challenge has been trying to tunnel under the busiest rail interlocking in the US, which is used by hundreds of LIRR and Amtrak trains.
The endeavor is currently the largest construction project in the US, and will be the first expansion of the LIRR in more than 100 years.