MTA Approved Funding for Amazon Access Route

The MTA allocated $120,000 to maintain transit access to a Bronx Amazon hub during construction.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a concrete curb cut connecting an industrial road to a warehouse wall, symbolizing infrastructure transit access. — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has allocated $120,000 to fund a temporary access route for an Amazon delivery facility in the Bronx. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should government agencies provide financial help to small businesses disrupted by local infrastructure construction?

The MTA has committed up to $120,000 to fund a temporary access route for a 367,000-square-foot Amazon delivery hub in the Bronx. This initiative aims to maintain facility access while Bassett Avenue faces periodic closures during the Penn Station Access project.

Why it matters

The funding covers essential costs for a temporary curb cut and site plan revisions to ensure delivery operations continue despite regional construction. Meanwhile, small businesses in East Harlem continue to report significant financial strain due to separate, ongoing infrastructure projects.

The MTA allocated $120,000 to support a temporary curb cut on Marconi Street for the 367,000-square-foot Amazon facility. This expense is separate from the nearly $8 billion budget currently allocated for the broader Second Avenue Subway expansion.

The players

MTA

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is the public agency responsible for public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area.

Amazon

Amazon is a multinational technology company focusing on e-commerce, cloud computing, and digital streaming.

Eagle Tile

Eagle Tile is a local Bronx business that has operated for 35 years.

Go Donut

Go Donut is an East Harlem small business experiencing a reported 70% decline in sales due to nearby subway construction.

The details

The MTA plans to reimburse Amazon for review costs and the creation of a temporary curb cut to bypass closures on Bassett Avenue. This decision has sparked criticism from East Harlem business owners, such as the operators of Eagle Tile and Go Donut, who claim they have received no similar relief during the ongoing Second Avenue Subway project.

Construction began outside the Go Donut shop four months ago.
The MTA reported on Friday that it is working to identify loading spaces.

Market Landscape

The MTA intervention highlights the logistical challenges large-scale infrastructure projects like the Penn Station Access project create for major industrial tenants. This contrast between state-funded support for corporate giants and the struggles of local retailers underscores broader tensions in urban development.

Residents in the Bronx should expect periodic traffic disruptions on Bassett Avenue as construction for the new Metro-North station entrance continues. Small business owners in East Harlem continue to face significant financial hurdles as their revenue remains impacted by the multi-billion dollar subway expansion.

The takeaway

Public agencies often navigate complex logistics to maintain transit access during major construction, though this can lead to friction with local entrepreneurs. Business owners facing significant revenue losses from infrastructure projects are encouraged to seek local government resources and representation to address their specific challenges.