Upgrades Include New Elevators, Improved Stairs and Updated Fare Payment Areas
Work To Begin in February 2025, Will Be Completed by Early 2029
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the upcoming award of a contract for the construction of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility upgrades at five subway stations. This package, called ADA Package 6, will now include the Middletown Road subway station in the Bronx, a new addition to the 2020-2024 Capital Plan.
The stations included in ADA Package 6 are:
- Norwood Av
- Myrtle Av
- Avenue I
- Burnside Av
- Middletown Road
“Every day, more than 20,000 riders pass through the stations included in this package,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “They – and all New Yorkers – deserve to ride the subway without having to worry about finding an accessible station. The MTA is knocking out ADA projects faster than ever before so that in a few years they won’t have to anymore.”
The Package is the latest bundle of accessibility improvements undertaken by MTA Construction & Development (C&D). By bundling multiple ADA stations into one package, the MTA saves money and can more successfully manage more projects at the same time. Thanks in large part to this new approach, the pace of accessibility improvements has increased fourfold in the past decade.
The Package is funded in part by $254 million in support from the Federal Transit Administration’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP). The funding, part of President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, was spearheaded by both U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The Norwood Av, Myrtle Av, Avenue I, and Burnside Av stations were funded through that process.
Middletown Road is a new addition to the MTA Capital Plan and will be funded by local funding sources. The upgrades to the Middletown Road station include the installation of one elevator on both platforms that will provide access to the mezzanine as well as the street. It will also include upgrades to fare payment areas on both platforms and station staircases.
“Today’s announcement is the latest step in the right direction towards equitable transit access for every New Yorker. Earlier this year, I was proud to have the opportunity to partner with the MTA and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to provide funding for a new, more accessible Classon Avenue G train station, and I look forward to the completion of necessary ADA accessibility upgrades at the Myrtle Ave train station,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “I am thankful to the MTA for their commitment to ensuring that every single resident—from our senior citizens to members of the disabled community and parents with young children—can access all that our great city has to offer with the dignity they deserve.”
"This is a major victory for accessibility and for our community in Pelham Bay and beyond,” said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. “The upgrades at Middletown Road will ensure that Bronx residents, especially those with disabilities, can navigate our subway system more safely and conveniently. I applaud the MTA for prioritizing these critical improvements and bringing us closer to a transit system that works for every New Yorker."
“This upgrade is a game-changer for our community members who face challenges accessing our transportation system,” said Assembly Member Landon Dais. “In Assembly District 77, we have many seniors and individuals with disabilities who will now be able to navigate our transit system more easily and safely. This project is a critical step toward modernizing our infrastructure and ensuring no community is left behind in the push for a more inclusive New York. In our community, I hear your concerns, I see your concerns and I will always fight for you. Thank you to the MTA and community partners that advocated for this project.”
“This is a significant step forward for accessibility in the Bronx,” said Assembly Member Michael Benedetto. “The Middletown Road station upgrades in my district will ensure my constituents and all New Yorkers can travel safely and independently on mass transit.”
“I thank the MTA for recognizing the need for our transportation system to be accessible to all riders,” said Assembly Member Simcha Eichenstein. "I am delighted that these highly anticipated improvements to the Avenue I station on the line are finally being initiated. These upgrades are a vital step forward in providing safer, more accessible transportation for all New Yorkers. While we are all thrilled that Avenue I station on the line will become accessible, I will continue advocating for more improvements to stations throughout my district along the , and lines."
"The announcement of ADA improvements at the Myrtle Avenue station is a long-overdue step toward making our transit system accessible for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez. “This investment will bring critical upgrades to our community, ensuring that residents, commuters, and visitors—regardless of ability—can move through our city with dignity and ease. I am thankful that the MTA was able to bring back their plans for prioritizing equity and accessibility in the 2020-2024 Capital Plan and look forward to seeing this project come to fruition and working with them to ensure a smooth construction process."
“Bringing accessibility upgrades to the Middletown Road station is a great step forward for our community and a win for City Council District 13 residents who rely on the 6 train. These improvements will enhance access and ensure the station is welcoming to all Bronx residents and New Yorkers,” said Council Member Kristy Marmorato. “While we celebrate this progress, we hope this is just the beginning of more investments like this for District 13. Our community deserves continued improvements to our infrastructure and opportunities that strengthen our quality of life. This is a step in the right direction, and we hope to see even more in the future.”
"The Middletown Road and Burnside Avenue subway stations are an important part of our transit network, providing vital access for residents in the Bronx," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "We are thrilled to see the installation of a new elevator, which will improve accessibility for commuters, especially parents with strollers and riders with disabilities or mobility challenges. I want to thank the MTA for their continued efforts to enhance our public transportation system and ensure that our subway stations are more accessible for every New Yorker."
The proposed contract will be submitted to the MTA Board for consideration and approval at its December committee and full board meetings. Work on the bundle of projects is set to begin in February 2025 and will be completed by early 2029.