MTA Capital Plan Funds Elevators for NYC's Tallest Subway Station

Accessibility Win at Smith and 9th Street Station

• 🚇 Commuters in Brooklyn are celebrating a significant accessibility win following a decades-long advocacy effort.
• 💡 The MTA's historic $68 billion capital plan will fund new elevators at the Smith and 9th Street station, the tallest in New York City.
• 🏗️ At over 87 feet tall, the station was built to accommodate large boats crossing the Gowanus Canal, requiring two long escalators and two flights of stairs to reach the platform.

Overcoming Decades of Challenges

• 🚶 For individuals with mobility issues, the current station design makes transit nearly impossible.
• ⏳ One commuter reported it takes approximately 20 minutes just to ascend the stairs to the platform.
• 🚧 A previous renovation over a decade ago did not include accessibility features, and the MTA had previously cited prohibitive costs and structural integrity concerns for not installing elevators.

Funding and Future Accessibility

• 💰 State Senator Andrew Gernardes highlighted that revenue from congestion pricing will be bonded out to support the capital plan, including these crucial accessibility upgrades.
• 📈 These improvements are expected to bring the city's subway system to 50% accessibility once completed, marking a new era for thousands of riders.
• 📍 The MTA has 36 ongoing station accessibility projects in Brooklyn alone, demonstrating a broader commitment to improving transit equity.