Accessibility Upgrades Include New Ramp to Manhattan-Bound Side
First Major Completion of Accessibility Upgrade Under MTA Historic 2020-24 Capital Plan
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the Avenue H station in the Midwood section of Brooklyn is now reopened as a fully accessible station. Customers can now access the northbound (Manhattan-bound) platform by using a new ramp which leads to a new turnstile area for access to the platform. A new underpass for an accessible path leading to the previously existing ramp to the southbound platform was also created improving customer flow and station environment. Both ramps were designed in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).
MTA Construction & Development and contractor, Gramercy Group, Inc., safely and expeditiously worked through the pandemic to prioritize this project. The project, which was part of the 2020-24 Capital Plan, cost $12.2 million, with incentives for substantial completion to be on time and on budget.
“This project, the first ADA project to be completed from the 2020-2024 Capital Plan, was one of many we were able to advance in spite of COVID - allowing us to deliver on our commitment to accessibility,” said Janno Lieber, President of MTA Construction & Development. “The MTA continues to be dedicated to accessibility and delivering these projects on time and on budget is critical so that riders return to a more equitable system.”
“The Avenue H Station is a perfect example of how ramps and thoughtful infrastructure can make for an accessible environment for all,” said Quemuel Arroyo, MTA Chief Accessibility Officer. “Our Brooklyn customers have the inclusive station they deserve as we continue to build a more equitable transit system.”
"I have always encouraged the MTA to consider where they can utilize ramps to increase accessibility," said MTA Board Member and Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Victor Calise. "I am pleased to see these upgrades at the Avenue H station on the line, and look forward to continuing to work with the MTA towards systemwide accessibility for all New Yorkers and visitors with disabilities."
Other Avenue H station project components include:
- Sidewalk/street work to connect east to west side station via underpass
- New landscaping (green street work) on east side next to ramp and next to platform walls on the west side
- New lighting on the new turnstile area, ramp and existing staircases
- Five new cameras on new turnstile area interconnected with existing CCTV system
- Fire alarm upgrade and strobes, smoke/heat detectors and tamper switch incorporated with existing fire alarm system
- Water main replacement on west side ramp and gas main replacement on both east and west side and underpass for new ADA-compliant ramp
- Two new speakers incorporated with the existing PA System
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke said: “For far too long, many New Yorkers were forced to travel exclusively through buses and cabs due to their inability to access our subways. This has resulted in many missed Doctor appointments, lost wages, and time spent with loved ones. I am so proud to see that Avenue H, on the line will no longer be a part of that problem. The MTA has worked diligently to ensure accessibility and I applaud their efforts.”
State Senator Simcha Felder said: "Many of us take the subway and navigating the City for granted, but for people with disabilities these things are a real challenge. I am very pleased that this upgrade will help many people with mobility issues including people with disabilities, seniors and mothers with strollers as well. I will continue fighting to create the inclusive city we all deserve and I hope to celebrate many more newly accessible subways in the close future."
Assemblymember Robert Carroll said: "It is so important that we get this job done so that all New Yorkers have the ability to travel through our city and enjoy all of the great benefits of being a New Yorker. I commend all the folks who for years and years and years made sure that this issue got light and got notice, because without their advocacy, we would not be making these subway stations accessible.”
NYC Council Member Mathieu Eugene said: “I want to commend and thank the leadership of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on the completion of the station ADA-accessibility project on Avenue H. This new entrance represents a much-needed investment in our community and the future of public transit in Brooklyn. Hardworking New Yorkers who need assistance reaching the subway platform should not be limited in their ability to use public transit, and we must continue to improve our infrastructure for that purpose. It is especially important now, as we work to rebuild and strengthen our local economy, that all commuters are able to use public transit without any obstacles. The completion of this project is a testament to our city’s ability to build towards the future and to create a more equitable public transportation system for all New Yorkers.”
Brooklyn Community Board 14 Chair Jo Ann Brown said: "Accessible subway stations have been a priority identified by Community Board 14 for a number of years and we are pleased that MTA/NYCT's Fast Forward program expedited this historic station from its origins in the 19th century to its rightful place in the 21st century: an era of inclusion and equity. We look forward to continued collaboration with NYCT to maintain, enhance and expand access to all stations."
More About Avenue H Station
The Avenue H station opened in 1907 and became part of the BMT Brighton Line. The station which contains two side platforms and four tracks (the inner tracks serve the express train which bypasses the station) has a station house adjacent to each platform. The station house serving the northbound platform was designated as a New York City landmark in 2004. The rocking chairs on the porch outside are part of an MTA Arts & Design commissioned art piece called “Brooklyn Bucolic” and were installed in 2012. Average weekday ridership in 2019 was 1,161 customers.
Over the past 18 months, the Authority has completed 12 accessibility projects since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, spanning across four boroughs of New York City. Most recently, the MTA has completed accessibility projects at the 57 St station on the lines in Midtown Manhattan, the Gun Hill Rd station in the Bronx and to the Manhattan side of the Court Sq-23 St station in Queens.
In December 2020 the MTA announced a major accessibility project that will include eight stations throughout the five boroughs as the Authority remains committed to increasing its number of fully ADA-compliant stations ensuring that no customer will be more than two stations away from an accessible station.
For more information about accessible stations across the MTA network, visit https://new.mta.info/accessibility/stations.