Project Includes New Elevators, a New Accessible In-Station Path Connecting 42 St-Bryant Park and 5 Av and Storefront Retail Improvements
MTA Installing Signage at Projects Funded by Congestion Pricing Across System To Inform Riding Public
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has begun improvements at 42 St-Bryant Pk BDFM7 and 5 Av 7 station complex to make the major transit hub fully ADA-accessible. New elevators, platform upgrades, a new accessible in-station transfer to 5 Av 7 station, and state of good repair work will benefit over 100,000 daily riders, all made possible with funds from congestion pricing. Bryant Park is one of six station accessibility projects now under construction funded directly by revenues generated by congestion pricing, which will ultimately deliver accessibility improvements to at least 23 subway stations.
“New Yorkers have already been feeling the benefits of less traffic, safer streets, and cleaner air thanks to congestion pricing, now we take the benefits to the next level as we unleash billions in investment to improve our transit system,” Governor Hochul said. “As Governor, I have made upgrading our subway system to make it truly accessible to all a core priority, with renovations to dozens of stations either completed or under construction today. Thanks to funding from congestion pricing, we can expand that effort to the major hub at Bryant Park and five more stations across the system, improving the rides of over 100,000 New Yorkers every day.”
The Bryant Park project includes construction of four new elevators, three new mezzanine-to-platform elevators at 42 St-Bryant Park, including one that connects the Times Square Shuttle pedestrian pathway to the northbound 42 St-Bryant Park platform, and one mezzanine-to-platform elevator at 5 Av 7 station. Additionally, project crews will construct a new in-system accessible corridor from 42 St-Bryant Park BDFM to 5 Av 7, to allow customers requiring a stair-free path of travel to access 5 Av 7 platforms. Other improvements include platform reconstruction at both stations, new accessible fare gates, four upgraded stairwells, accessibility upgrades to the men’s and women’s restrooms at 42 St-Bryant Park BDFM, and state of good repair work at 5 Av 7 station.
The MTA is also coordinating the accessibility project alongside work to revitalize the retail corridor inside the Times Sq-42 St station, converting four vacant retail storefronts to restaurant space to improve the passenger experience across the station complex.
The project is the latest in a string of investments along the 42 St corridor at Grand Central-42 St, 42 St-Bryant Park, and Times Sq-42 St stations. Work includes redesigning passageways and platforms, adding elevators, expanding stairways and transforming the Times Square Shuttle into a fully accessible service. The centerpiece of the project is the rebuilt Shuttle, which opened in March 2021. On its Times Square side, there is one large island platform with tracks on both sides, a new feature that makes it easier for riders to board trains quickly. The station is now ADA-accessible and has a larger, more modern entrance. The project also created an in-station transfer between Times Sq-42 St and 42 St-Bryant Park, providing a free connection between the NQRWGS1237 and BDFM lines.
The announcement of the start of construction at the 42 St-Bryant Park/5 Av station complex also unveiled new signage riders will see highlighting projects that are enabled by congestion pricing. Signage at other projects made possible by congestion pricing across the system will be rolled out in the coming weeks as construction advances.
In addition to the 42 St-Bryant Park project, congestion pricing is funding ADA upgrades now under construction at five further subway stations.
- Kingsbridge Rd 4
- 167 St BD
- Gates Av J
- Briarwood F
- ADA Package 9 – Parsons Blvd F
Revenue generated by congestion pricing is providing $15 billion in funding for the MTA 2020-24 Capital Plan, including projects to rebuild, improve and expand New York's transit system, including $3 billion for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, $3 billion for signal upgrades along the ABCDFM lines, $2 billion for new railcars and buses, $5 billion for state of good repair work and $2 billion for accessibility improvements to at least 23 subway stations.
Additional projects made possible by congestion pricing funding include:
Beginning Active Construction
- ADA: Package 7 – Kingsbridge Rd 4
- ADA: Package 7 – 167 St BD
- ADA Package 9 – Gates Av J
- ADA Package 9 – Briarwood F
- ADA Package 9 - Parsons Blvd F
A full list of projects funded by congestion pricing can be found here.
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