Section 21-A. Construction and equipment of a rapid transit railroad tunnel or tunnels

a. The city of New York  and  the  New  York  city  transit
  authority,  acting  under and pursuant to the provisions of this chapter
  and of title nine of article five of the  public  authorities  law,  are
  hereby  authorized  to  effect the construction and equipment of a rapid
  transit railroad tunnel or tunnels between the boroughs of Manhattan and
  Queens in the city of New York, along the following route:
    A route lying wholly within the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens which
  shall begin at a point on East Sixty-third street at the  westerly  line
  of  York  avenue  in  the  borough  of  Manhattan where a connection can
  conveniently be made to other future  rapid  transit  railroads;  thence
  extending  easterly  along East Sixty-third street under York avenue and
  Franklin D. Roosevelt drive; thence continuing easterly under  the  West
  channel  of  the  East river, Welfare island and the East channel of the
  East river to the borough of Queens; thence  continuing  easterly  under
  Queens bridge park and Vernon boulevard to a point on Forty-first avenue
  at  the  easterly  line  of  Vernon  boulevard  where  a  connection can
  conveniently be made with other future rapid transit railroads.
    b. For the purposes of  this  chapter,  such  rapid  transit  railroad
  tunnel or tunnels shall be deemed to be a rapid transit railroad.