N.Y. R.R. Law § 179
In case any street surface railroad corporation shall not commence the construction of its road, or of any extension or branch thereof, within one year after the consent of the local authorities and property owners or the determination of the appellate division of the supreme court as herein required, shall have been given or renewed, and shall not complete the same within three years after such consents or determination shall have been obtained, its rights, privileges and franchises in respect of such railroad or extension or branch, as the case may be, may be forfeited. If the performance of any act required by this chapter or any prior acts within the times therein prescribed, is hindered, delayed or prevented by legal proceedings in any court, such court may also extend such time for such period as the court shall deem proper or if the performance of any act required by said statutes within the times therein prescribed is hindered, delayed or prevented by works of public improvement, or from any other or different cause, not within the control of the corporation upon which such requirement is imposed, the time for the performance of such act is hereby and shall be deemed to be extended for the period covered by such hindrance, delay or prevention. The time for compliance with any requirement in this or any former act, by a street surface railroad corporation incorporated for the purpose of constructing a street surface railroad and which has prior to March twenty-fifth, nineteen hundred and two, obtained or shall prior to June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and three, obtain such consents or determination is hereby extended until June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and four.
N.Y. R.R. Law § 179