Reminder: Previously Announced Elevator Replacement Work at Clark Street 2/3 Station Begins Wednesday

MTA Construction & Development to Accelerate Replacement of Three Elevators by Eight Months 

Station to Close During Construction; Customers will be Directed to Nearby Stations and Enhanced Local Bus Service   

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today reminded the public that work to replace all three elevators at the Clark Street   subway station in Brooklyn Heights will begin on Wednesday, November 3. Crews will replace the elevators at the same time, which dramatically minimizes the duration of the project and avoids up to two years of service unpredictability. 

Because Clark Street is a deep cavern station accessible only by elevator, subway service will bypass the station in both directions from Wednesday, November 3, 2021 until Spring 2022 in order to replace all three existing elevators. 

Customers are advised to use nearby stations, including the High Street  station located north three blocks and through a walkway to Cadman Plaza, or the Borough Hall-Court Street   subway complex, located two to three blocks south and one to two blocks east, on Montague Street between Clinton and Court Streets. From the Clark Street station, these alternative stations can be reached via the B25 bus. 

“This project is a model for how the MTA can deliver infrastructure projects better, faster and cheaper,” said Janno Lieber, Acting MTA Chair and CEO. “The plan to replace all three elevators at Clark Street simultaneously reduces the length of construction time and minimizes the impact that this disruption will cause for our riders.” 

 

“These enhancements are an important step to ensure that New Yorkers have a safe, reliable transit system at all times,” said Craig Cipriano, Interim New York City Transit President. "NYC Transit remains focused on welcoming New Yorkers back to a modernized system that is the quickest way to navigate the city.” 

“Replacing the century-old elevators at the Clark Street Station is a safety priority for Brooklyn subway riders,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon. “We have worked hard with the MTA and other local elected officials to reduce the inconvenience to riders as much as possible. We’ll continue to work closely with the MTA to mitigate any quality of life issues that arise, and look forward to an improved Clark Street station with brand new elevators in the spring of 2022.” 

“The Clark Street 2/3 station is an important connection for many residents and I am thrilled that the project timeline is being reduced to minimize the impact for riders,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. This project will ensure a safe, accessible station for all and will be a model for future MTA projects. I want to thank the MTA for their vision on this project and look forward to seeing the project completed.” 

The elevators have been in service for more than 100 years and have reached the end of their useful lives. In 2000, the station was bypassed for five months to replace controllers and cabs, and repair three motors, but this replacement work would constitute the first full replacement of the Clark Street elevator systems in over a century. 

NYC Transit originally presented the community with alternatives that would have led to repair work lasting for 22 to 24 months, but would have attempted to maintain train service to the station during construction work in Brooklyn Heights. Under these scenarios, technicians would have worked on one elevator at a time, leaving two elevators in service. But because two elevators are needed to safely maintain train service to this deep cavern station that lacks stairway access, crews would have had to suddenly and unpredictably suspend train service whenever one of the two remaining elevators was taken out of service. 

The upper level of the station will remain open, preserving public access to businesses. The project’s contractor, Forte Construction Corp., will have a street presence for this project beginning the week of October 25, 2021 in order to mobilize for the elevator replacement work.  All construction activity will be scheduled from 7 a.m. through 6 p.m. on weekdays, and the vast majority of work will be done within the Clark Street station. 

The MTA created a map to add a visual representation of the changes and make it easier to adjust their commute if needed. Additionally, print and digital signs will be posted in stations, along with announcements in stations and on trains. Customers can use the MTA’s award-winning Live Subway Map which shows the real-time position of trains, planned service changes at any given time, highlights accessible stations, and much more. Customer service notifications are also available on the MTA website, the MYmta app and the Authority’s many social media channels. Customers can also sign up for text and email alerts at www.myMTAalerts.com.