N.Y. RRD Law § 179

§ 179. Within what time road to be built. In case any street surface\nrailroad corporation shall not commence the construction of its road, or\nof any extension or branch thereof, within one year after the consent of\nthe local authorities and property owners or the determination of the\nappellate division of the supreme court as herein required, shall have\nbeen given or renewed, and shall not complete the same within three\nyears after such consents or determination shall have been obtained, its\nrights, privileges and franchises in respect of such railroad or\nextension or branch, as the case may be, may be forfeited. If the\nperformance of any act required by this chapter or any prior acts within\nthe times therein prescribed, is hindered, delayed or prevented by legal\nproceedings in any court, such court may also extend such time for such\nperiod as the court shall deem proper or if the performance of any act\nrequired by said statutes within the times therein prescribed is\nhindered, delayed or prevented by works of public improvement, or from\nany other or different cause, not within the control of the corporation\nupon which such requirement is imposed, the time for the performance of\nsuch act is hereby and shall be deemed to be extended for the period\ncovered by such hindrance, delay or prevention. The time for compliance\nwith any requirement in this or any former act, by a street surface\nrailroad corporation incorporated for the purpose of constructing a\nstreet surface railroad and which has prior to March twenty-fifth,\nnineteen hundred and two, obtained or shall prior to June thirtieth,\nnineteen hundred and three, obtain such consents or determination is\nhereby extended until June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and four.\n