MTA Approves Contracts To Improve Infrastructure And Accessibility

Courtesy of MTA

NEW YORK CITY – The MTA has approved contracts regarding accessibility upgrades at subway and LIRR stations, replacing Webster Avenue Bridge, and the Metro-North Brewster Yard Improvements Program.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved contracts to advance its goals of achieving accessibility systemwide, reducing its carbon footprint, and improving infrastructure. Among these are: 1) $1.8 billion awarded in contracts to upgrade accessibility at both Subway and LIRR stations; 2) the approval to purchase 205 electric buses; 3) for LIRR to replace Webster Avenue Bridge on the Port Washington Branch; and 4) to move forward with phase one of the Metro-North Brewster Yard Improvements Program.

With accessibility upgrades at 13 more subway stations, the MTA “completed 8 station projects across all five boroughs in 2023 and 24 stations since 2020.” Along with security cameras, the elevators cabs are equipped with two-way communication systems so its riders can reach MTA staff at the Operations Control Center. These communication systems allow riders to speak through the speakers or via a touch screen in the elevator. According to the MTA, the “package of accessibility upgrades encompasses 13 subway and Staten Island Railway stations . . . [and] includes the installation of new elevators or ramps compliant with the American with Disabilities Act at each of these stations as well as other accessibility upgrades and work to bring the facilities into a state of good repair.”

At Broadway Junction, the MTA will perform rehabilitation work that includes a stair-free path of travel throughout. In making the complex fully ADA-accessible, the project will seek to replace existing escalators and constructing a new entrance at Van Sinderin Avenue. In addition, the MTA will build a new comfort station at Callahan Kelly Playground.

At the Long Island Rail Road, crews will work to make stations ADA-accessible with projects moving forward at Forest Hills, Hollis, and Babylon stations. Forest Hills and Hollis station platforms will be extended to account for increased capacity while Babylon station will “also receive a full platform and canopy replacements.” Additionally, the Webster Avenue Bridge will be replaced with the adjacent roadway, sidewalks, and retaining walls reconstructed. The MTA states that crews will “also install catch basins and a new drainage system to prevent roadway drainage onto the track.”

For Metro-North Railroad’s Brewster yard Improvement Program, the MTA Construction & Development have planned for improvements at the Brewster Campus in Putnam County. These improvements will “transform the campus into a strategic maintenance facility and transportation hub.” Currently, the campus includes Southeast station, the Harlem Line tracks, the Brewster Yard maintenance facility, an existing train storage yard, and customer surface parking lots. The project is split into three phases: 1) Phase one will improve parking and access at Southeast station by constructing a 1320-space parking garage; 2) Phase two will expand Northward Yard; 3) Phase three will reconfigure the existing yard.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said: “The procurements moving forward today advance top 2023 MTA goals – expanding accessibility systemwide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and keeping the transit system in a state-of-good-repair. . . Together, they will help move forward the transit system riders deserve. Many of these projects include federal funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and – as always – we thank Sen. Schumer, House Democratic Leader Jeffries, the New York congressional delegation, and our USDOT partners.”

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Law that I was proud to champion and pass, the MTA is making significant investments to improve the ridership experience, make stations fully accessible and reduce carbon pollution by buying electric buses. . . With this funding, MTA riders will have improved accessibility on public transit, at Broadway Junction and more, new low- and no-emission buses that will reduce air pollution, an improved LIRR experience, and state of good repair improvements to the whole system,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.