New Elevator, Larger Entry and Exit Options for Commuters, Modernized Turnstile Area Included
Entrance Features Two New Mosaic Murals by Nick Cave Commissioned by MTA Arts & Design
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today celebrated the unveiling of a new subway entrance at the 42 St-Times Square Station, the only one currently opening directly into the heart of Times Square. The new 5,000 square foot mezzanine space is part of the broader 42nd Street Connection Project, encompassing a series of major improvements to the busy crosstown corridor in Midtown Manhattan. The celebration of this new entrance coincides with the resurgence of the Times Square District, as the peak Spring and Summer travel season approaches.
The entrance allows customers to directly enter and exit Broadway Plaza, the middle of the Times Square District that is visited by millions of riders every week. New subway entrance features include:
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New Accessible Elevator: A new elevator, the sixth at the station in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), is part of the MTA’s ongoing private-public partnership with Jamestown and the company’s $500 million redevelopment of the iconic One Times Square building – the site of the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop. The sleek, black-trimmed design of the elevator provides a modern feel and is complete with a new two-way communication system installed in the elevator cab for those with hearing and speech impairments, providing information to customers in case of an emergency. It will connect the Times Square Station to Broadway Plaza between 42nd and 43rd Streets.
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New Entrance and Exit Options: The entrance includes a brand new, modernized canopy over the stairs, replicating sparkling Waterford Crystals which encompass the world-famous New Year’s Eve Crystal Ball. The canopy displays a total of 238 triangular glass frames, which can be seen when looking up while using the stairs. The new subway entrance features a staircase which is 15 feet wide and provides an additional 450 square feet of space and an additional circulation for the new station. Soffits located on the ceiling of the new entrance, on the mezzanine level, encompass historic plaster molding from when the station was originally built. A new historic panel was also installed at the bottom of the stairway, depicting notable events throughout the station’s history.
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New and Modern Turnstile / Mezzanine Level: The new Times Square station entrance features energy-efficient LED lighting; four new digital information screens to keep customers updated on train arrivals and notifications; 10 new turnstiles; two emergency gates, and 10 glass barrier panels located between turnstiles and emergency exit gates. Eighteen CCTV cameras were also installed at the mezzanine level and two cameras were installed in the elevator, helping to boost surveillance at the highly trafficked station.
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Two New MTA Arts & Design Mosaics: Commissioned by the MTA’s award-winning public arts program, two new mosaics by artist Nick Cave, referred to individually as “Each One” and “Equal All” are located near the new subway entrance and rebuilt 42nd Street Shuttle platform. The unveiling marks the completion of the expansive permanent artwork ‘Every One, Each One, Equal All.’ The third section is installed in the 42 St Connector.
“Today’s event highlights two of the MTA’s top priorities – dramatically increasing accessibility in the subway system and supporting the revival of New York’s office and entertainment districts,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We’re adding ADA elevators faster than ever before, and we’re determined to achieve full accessibility – for disabled riders, seniors, people with strollers and packages -- everybody.”
“The unveiling of this new subway entrance couldn’t come at a better time for subway riders,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “From the new ADA accessibility elevator to the ongoing rebuilding and expansion of the Times Square station, the new subway entrance signifies MTA Construction & Development’s successful approach to delivering capital projects through innovative public-private partnerships. Thanks to Jamestown for their collaboration in making this new subway entrance a reality for riders.”
“This new subway entrance provides a second accessible street entrance to the Times Square station, which is particularly valuable at the single busiest station in our system,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer and Senior Advisor Quemuel Arroyo. “I am proud that our partnerships with private developers continue to prioritize accessibility improvements like this, moving us ever closer to our systemwide accessibility goals. This new entrance will increase access for those with disabilities, parents with strollers, and everyday commuters, supporting the resurgence of Times Square with improved access.”
“I look forward to seeing more riders use this newly renovated station as the City’s recovery continues and we start to welcome more tourists this spring and summer,” said Richard Davey, President of MTA New York City Transit. “Ridership is already showing great progress. We hit 5 million riders on the subways and buses on May 5 for the first time since March 13, 2020. But as far as we’ve come, we still recognize that we need to do even more to attract new riders. I’m laser focused on safety. I’m particularly glad to see the station upgrades include 20 CCTV cameras.”
“The new stairwell and ADA-compliant elevator will make Times Square – the crossroads of the world – more accessible and more inclusive than ever before,” said Michael Phillips, President of Jamestown, the owner of One Times Square. “We are grateful for the public-private partnership with the MTA and committed to continuing to increase the connectivity of Times Square with the redevelopment of One Times Square.”
“Nick Cave’s new mosaics complete the trilogy that is ‘Each One, Every One, Equal All,’” said MTA Arts & Design Director Sandra Bloodworth. “Each piece connects riders with the energy of Times Square, while honoring the incredible diversity found throughout New York City, particularly at this location. The work carries a powerful message of equality and representation. Its name makes clear that the artwork, and the celebration, is meant for each and every one of us.”
“Times Square and the Theater District’s restaurants, bars, and clubs are essential economic, social, and cultural drivers,” said NYC Hospitality Alliance Executive Director Andrew Rigie. “These local businesses are in the business of providing hospitality to all those who work, live, and visit the neighborhood from around the globe. So, we’re thrilled the MTA is unveiling this new, sleek, and accessible Times Square Subway Station, which will provide people an enhanced and more hospitable transportation experience to complement their dining, drinking, and dancing adventures in the Crossroads of the World.”
“The Times Square Alliance is pleased to celebrate the opening of a new entrance at the Times Square Station with MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber and his exceptional leadership team who helped make this day possible,” said Times Square Alliance President Tom Harris. “This entrance leads into the heart of the crossroads of the world and with over 300,000 people once again walking through Times Square, we applaud the MTA for opening this accessible entrance for all visitors and New Yorkers.”
“Getting NYC back on track starts with a strong transportation system. The 111-year old Broadway Association, which was founded by New York businesses advocating for safer transportation, applauds the MTA on the new and improved 42 St-Times Square subway station, which will provide better accessibility for those traveling to the crossroads of the world, and will allow New Yorkers and visitors alike to easily experience the bright lights of Broadway through this new Gateway,” said Cristyne L. Nicholas, Chair of The Broadway Association. “Broadway and Times Square are key economic tourism drivers and as peak spring and summer travel season begins, the timing couldn’t be better for these MTA improvements to get you to your meetings or Broadway show on time”.
The new subway entrance at the 42 St-Times Square Station is part of the MTA’s investment into the 42nd Street underground corridor which included upgrades to Grand Central, Bryant Park and Times Square stations, focusing on redesigning passageways and platforms, adding new elevators, expanding stairways and transforming the 42nd Street Shuttle train into a fully accessible service.
The opening of the entrance marks the completion of the three-year revitalization project that was completed on-time and below budget.
Approximately 640,000 customers pass through the Times Square subway station each weekday and is used, more than any of the 472 stations within the subway system.