Major Accessibility Upgrades Coming to Five NYC Subway Stations

May 29, 2024   687

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Wakefield-241st Street, Kingsbridge Road, 167th Street, 145th Street, and 110th Street Stations to Receive $156 Million in Accessibility Enhancements

 

NYC’s subway system, long overdue for improvements, is set to receive significant accessibility upgrades thanks to a $156 million funding boost. This initiative will enhance five key subway stations: Wakefield-241st Street, Kingsbridge Road, 167th Street, 145th Street, and 110th Street. Although the timeline for these upgrades hasn't been specified, the improvements promise to make commuting easier and safer for all New Yorkers.

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Key Improvements

These enhancements are part of a broader effort to modernize NYC's aging subway infrastructure. The improvements at the selected stations include:

• Installing Elevators: Ensuring easy access for those with mobility issues.
• Platform Updates: Reducing gaps to enhance safety and accessibility.
• Tactile Platform Edge Warning Strips: Helping visually impaired passengers navigate more safely.
• Stairway Repairs: Upgrading and repairing stairways to ensure safety.
• Improved Signage: Enhancing navigation throughout the stations.
• Upgraded Visual and Audio Systems: Improving communication for all passengers.

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Federal Support for Accessibility

The funding is part of a $343 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), aimed at making rail stations across eight states ADA accessible. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of these upgrades, stating:

"We are not only modernizing our nation’s infrastructure, we are doing so in a way that makes it more accessible for older Americans, people with disabilities, and all transit users. This initiative is retrofitting old rail stations with elevators, ramps, and more, to make sure that our public transportation is more accessible for millions of Americans going about their daily lives."

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Broader Impact

In addition to the NYC upgrades, NJ Transit will receive $83.3 million to enhance accessibility at the Brick Church station in East Orange, one of the busiest stations on the Morris and Essex line.

These efforts are part of ongoing initiatives to improve public transportation infrastructure and ensure it meets the needs of all users. The MTA’s Re-NEW-vation Program, which focuses on deep cleaning and renovating subway stations, is another example of these much-needed upgrades.