Accessibility Upgrades Including Three New Elevators, Critical State of Good Repair Work, and Passenger Circulation Improvements
Upgrades Part of Larger 14 St Complex ADA Megaproject, Which Includes $247 Million in Federal Funding and Will Add Nine New Elevators to Complex
See B-Roll Footage of New Elevators
See Video of Today’s News Conference
See Photos from Today’s News Conference
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the completion of three new elevators providing access from the street to the 6 Av platform and the uptown platform, which marks the first of five major milestones in the 14 St Complex megaproject. Of the three new elevators, one brings customers from street-level to the mezzanine, one connects the mezzanine to the uptown platform, and the other connects the mezzanine to the platform, which is an island platform that serves both directions. The 14 St and 6 Av station are the first two of three stations within the complex to receive ADA upgrades. Three additional elevators are under construction for the downtown platform which, when completed, will make the 14 St station fully accessible, and subsequent milestones include newly accessible 14 St and 7 Av station.
In addition to the accessibility work, the project encompasses circulation improvements and a multitude of state of good repair work, including leak mitigation and repairs to the Canarsie Line tunnel from 8th Avenue to 1st Avenue. Crews installed four new staircases and widened 21 existing staircases, reconfigured the mezzanine to install two new fare arrays, and added new lighting and tiling for an improved customer experience.
“This is a megaproject that is going to change accessibility for 30,000 daily riders,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Part of the reason we’re able to do it is because we have great partners in Washington. The feds have contributed $247 million towards this project, more than 80% of the total cost. Thank you, Chuck Schumer, thank you, Hakeem Jeffries and the rest of the New York delegation.”
“Every new elevator brings us one step closer to our goal of systemwide accessibility,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “This is the first step towards making this crucial transfer complex accessible and unlocking many new trip options for our customers.”
“This project provides much-needed accessibility as well as critical station tunnel repairs,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “Bundling ADA upgrades with state of good repair work allows the MTA to deliver megaprojects better, faster, and cheaper.”
The $300 million megaproject to make ADA upgrades to the 14 St complex includes $247 million in federal funds. Approximately 23.5% of the project budget has been awarded to DBE firms, which exceeds the project's original 22.5% DBE goal.
Once completed, the 14 St Complex will have nine new elevators making it fully accessible. The complex will also have 25 new staircases and 39 renovated staircases, as well as five platform upgrades, which include new tactile warning strips and ADA boarding areas.
Approximately 29,000 customers use the 14 St Complex on a given weekday. The complex serves six lines in four boroughs, as well as two PATH train lines.
“I’m proud to support the federal funding to power critical modernization and accessibility upgrades at stations across the city, including these at the 14 St and station and the 6 Av station in Manhattan,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “With federal investments like this whopping $247 million, MTA can take on more projects to keep all New Yorkers moving and keep our economy going strong. These completed and much-needed accessibility upgrades, including three elevators, widened stairs and a reconfigured mezzanine, are key to modernizing the system and making public transit more accessible for the riding public, especially for New Yorkers with disabilities, who have long suffered from poor access to our region’s mass transit.”
“Transforming MTA stations to be fully accessible is crucial for New York residents and visitors,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “I am thrilled to see that these stations are now accessible and look forward to seeing the completion of the 14th St Complex megaproject, which will further improve accessibility for MTA riders. I commend the MTA’s commitment to making accessibility upgrades and improving public transportation for all New Yorkers.”
“I'm proud that the MTA's $300 million megaproject to make ADA upgrades and other improvements to the 14th St complex included $247 million in federal funds,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “I worked hard to ensure that President Biden and Vice President Harris' Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included substantial funding to power future modernization and accessibility upgrades that will keep New Yorkers, including those with disabilities, moving. I applaud the MTA for completing this project, and I look forward to continuing to work to secure Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for future accessibility and station improvement projects.”
“The subway is the lifeblood of New York City and must be made safe and accessible for all New Yorkers,” said Congressman Dan Goldman. “These improvements at the 14th Street and 6th Avenue station are critical steps towards the larger goal of upgrading our entire system to the 21st century standard New Yorkers deserve. I applaud the MTA for their diligent work and look forward to continued progress.”
“Today is a significant step towards system-wide accessibility in our subway system,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “While the vast majority of New York’s 472 subway stations remain inaccessible, the three new elevators at the 14th Street subway complex, along with the new wider staircases, lighting and platform upgrades will make a difference for the 30,000 New Yorkers passing through this station daily. I’m grateful to disability advocates for making the case for accessibility at 14th Street and the MTA for heeding their call. I look forward to supporting future MTA capital plans that continue to enhance accessibility at subway stations throughout our city.”
“I am very pleased to see the MTA is taking essential steps towards transit accessibility by reaching their first milestone in the 14 St Complex megaproject,” said Assembly Member Deborah Glick. “In 1994 I authored a bill to ensure the creation of a New York City-wide accessible rapid transit system for people with disabilities—100 Key Stations. Making stations fully accessible has long been an important issue for which I continue to support and advocate. I look forward to celebrating a completely accessible system for all New Yorkers.”
“We have an obligation to make our public transit system accessible to all, and the MTA continues to upgrade stations with ADA elevators to ensure seniors, parents, and all New Yorkers can safely use the subway,” said Council Member Carlina Rivera. “The 14th Street complex will have nine new elevators at the completion of this project, ensuring the over 29,000 daily riders at this station and the surrounding community are better served.”
“We’re thrilled with the completion of the first milestone in the 14th Street Complex ADA elevator project and would like to thank the MTA for their dedication in making travel more accessible for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Erik Bottcher. “The addition of a new elevator at the 6th Avenue station for the uptown and the train is a significant step forward in accommodating riders with disabilities, older adults, and parents and caregivers with strollers and small children. Along with these accessibility upgrades, there are also improved stairways, lighting, and upgraded platforms, creating a safer and more convenient station for everyone.”
“Whether riders have mobility challenges or are pushing strollers, adding elevators to all station levels is vital to making our subway system more accessible for all. This station connecting three boroughs and serving more than 29,000 daily riders is key to keeping our city connected, which makes these accessibility and circulation upgrades even more important,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “Thank you to the crews for their tireless work updating the station and to all of the partners who helped make these changes possible.”