Manhattan's east side is a notorious subway desert.

But come December 2016, eastsiders will rejoice because phase one of the Second Avenue Subway is slated to finally be complete.

“The $4.45 billion project is 82% complete,” Dr. Michael Horodniceanu, president of Capital Construction at Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said, as he walked photographer Bhushan Mondkar along the newly installed train tracks.

“The remaining 18% is the toughest –- testing a multitude of new systems, such as signals, communication, electrical, fire safety to work together, and integrating them with the existing infrastructure is the biggest challenge — but we are confident the project will open on time."

Phase one will add three new stations at 72nd, 86th and 96th streets, and the existing station at 63rd and Lexington Avenue is also getting a makeover. Once opened, the Q train will be rerouted along this line.

Arrangements have also been made to incorporate a new "T line" in the future, which is planned to run from 125th street down Second Avenue to Hannover Square in the Financial District.