N.Y. Rapid Transit Law § 35: Vehicular tunnels and other means of transportation

§ 35. Vehicular tunnels and other means of transportation. a.

Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in any city

charter, administrative code, or in any general, special or local law,

the board of transportation may act as the agent of any such city, at

the request of the mayor thereof, to prepare and submit to such mayor a

plan for the building and construction of a tunnel under any stream or

waterway within or adjoining the limits of such city and the approaches

thereto, or a vehicular tunnel or two or more vehicular tunnels,

together with the necessary approaches thereto, between the several

boroughs of the city of New York, or between two points in the same

borough, and as such agent of such city, with like request and approval,

may proceed with the construction and equipment or enter into contracts

for the construction and equipment of such part or section of any such

tunnel as such mayor shall require. The advertising and award of any and

all contracts entered into pursuant to this section shall be subject to

the provisions of section seventeen of this chapter. The city, from time

to time, on requisition duly made by the board of transportation, may

appropriate such sums of money as it may deem requisite and necessary to

enable the board of transportation to prepare such plans or to carry on

such construction and equipment. Such sums shall be paid out and

expended for such purposes upon vouchers certified by such board of

transportation. If bonds are issued for such purposes, they may be made

payable at maturity out of a sinking fund to be established and created

out of the rates and charges fixed by the board of estimate for the use

of any such tunnel by pedestrians and vehicles. Upon the completion

thereof the commissioner of public works or other like officer of such

city shall have cognizance and control of the management, maintenance,

operation and repair of every such tunnel and the approaches thereto.

b. The board of transportation, with like request and approval of the

mayor, may conduct such hearings and investigations with respect to

streets, tunnels or other ways, railroads, ferries or other methods or

means for the transportation of passengers or property within the limits

of any such city as such mayor shall require, and make reports and

recommendations with respect thereto, from time to time, as shall

likewise be required.