The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the agency responsible for public transportation in the US state of New York, has amended its 2015-2019 MTA capital plan to increase funding for accessibility projects.
The revised plan significantly increases its investment in projects related to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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The amendment also allocates $300m for critical station improvements, which will be carried out in partnership with the City of New York.
It includes $200m for accessibility enhancements, such as installation of elevators, and $100m to carry out station circulation enhancements.
The capital plan will also provide ADA accessibility to Westchester Square station on the 6 line in the Bronx.
The final list of additional stations where the improvement works will be carried out with the new funding will be finalised after detailed cost estimates are obtained.
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By GlobalDataMTA stated that up to five stations can be upgraded with these accessibility and circulation improvements.
Besides these additions, 17 other stations are being made fully ADA-accessible.
MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota said: “We are putting an increased focus on accessibility with all of our planning moving forward, and this plan amendment is a direct result of that promise.
“We have a lot more work to do but this plan amendment – as well as our Board working group on accessibility and the commitment of NYC Transit President Andy Byford – demonstrate our commitment to accessibility for all of our customers.”
MTA has invested around $5bn to make subway stations ADA-accessible including nearly $1bn allocated in this 2015-2019 MTA capital plan.
The programme also includes $400m for replacing 69 elevators and escalators at the stations.
