N.Y. Railroad Law § 108

§ 108. Approval of appliances in cities having a population of one\nmillion inhabitants or over. In cities in this state having a population\nof one million inhabitants or over, where tunnels are or may hereafter\nbe operated or controlled by any railroad corporation, such portions of\nany mechanical or other devices or appliances as may be required under\nthe provisions of the preceding six sections to be constructed on or\nabove the surface of any streets, avenues or other places under which\nsuch tunnels may be built, shall be subject as to form, material and\nconstruction, to the approval of the local authorities of such cities,\nexcept that in the city of New York such approval shall be by a majority\nvote of the mayor, the comptroller, the commissioner of parks and\nrecreation of said city and the president of the borough of said city in\nwhich such mechanical or other device or appliance is to be constructed.\n