New York MTA Seeks to Advance ADA Package for 5 Subway Stations

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced it plans to apply for federal funding to advance a package of accessibility projects in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at five stations.

Federal funding – including over $900 million received to date for 14 stations that were made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – has been important in enabling the MTA to advance ADA upgrade projects.

Federally funded ADA projects have been awarded at 36 stations since 2020 thanks to $1.6 billion of federal funding.

In addition, since 2020 the MTA has completed ADA projects at nine stations awarded before 2020 thanks to $379 million of federal funding.

When the 2020-2024 Capital Program, which included a historic $5.2 billion for ADA upgrade projects, was first announced there were two stations to be added to the program. If federal funds are secured, the authority said it plans to add the 145 St ​​​​ABCD station to this bundle. The Harlem subway station serves as a local and express transfer point between the four lettered lines.

The five stations included in the bundle are:

• 167 St ​​BD
• Kingsbridge Rd ​4
• 110 St ​6
• Wakefield-241 St ​2
• 145 St ​​​​ABCD

MTA's Plans with 2023 Federal Grant

The MTA was awarded a competitive $254 million federal grant last year to advance ADA upgrade projects.

The authority plans to award contracts for this bundle of four subway stations this year, which will include elevator installations as well as other station improvement work such as updating platforms to reduce gaps, adding tactile platform edge warning strips, modifying fare gates and stairs, and improving handrails.

The MTA finished 2023 with nine completed ADA upgrade projects and a record 42 station projects in active construction.

“The continued support of our federal partners to create an accessible and equitable transit system in New York City has been invaluable,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “Funding from the 2023 ASAP grant has moved four station projects forward and we hope ASAP funding this year can help us deliver five additional stations with improved design solutions for our customers with disabilities and access needs.”