New York MTA completes upgrade and renewal of Murray Hill LIRR Station

The upgrade and renewal of the Murray Hill Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Station has been completed, bringing accessibility improvements with the installation of two elevators.

The station now has two elevators, one each for the eastbound and westbound platforms, making the station accessible to all customers for the first time. Crews also installed renewed retaining walls, new lighting, security cameras, signage and pigeon abatement measures.

“Our goal at the LIRR is to make sure every last station that needs to be upgraded to allow for full ADA-compliant accessibility happens as quickly as possible. The opening of the elevators at Murray Hill Station marks the 107th accessible station, out of 124, for our customers,” said LIRR President Phil Eng. “I'm proud of the workforce that managed to get this important project past the finish line despite the ongoing pandemic as we run essential service for frontline workers. We look forward to the day we welcome all our customers back, and to the day we can say the LIRR is truly accessible for all who wish to use it."

Each elevator has a 3,500-lbs capacity and is large enough to accommodate a stretcher, should any passenger require EMT assistance on either platform. Low E glass has been installed on both elevators – the glass reduces the accumulation of heat inside the elevator to improve passenger comfort. Conduits, wires, fire alarms, elevator components and safety equipment, storefront windows and control panels for passenger use are all fully installed and operational.

The plaza areas at the Murray Hill Station were also restored with new brick pavers and concrete walkways. In addition, plaza benches, tables, seats and lampposts were re-installed and new trees planted.

“During the COVID-19 crisis we have put in place strong safety guidelines so that projects like this -- and the hundreds of other MTA projects under construction -- can move forward safely and on schedule,” said MTA Construction & Development President Janno Lieber. “Among other things, these guidelines require maximum social distancing, keeping crews separate, disinfection of tools and controlling access to confined areas like pump rooms and communications rooms. Thanks to our employees, contractors and organized labor, we are maintaining safety and continuing upgrades to be ready when our customers return.”

Construction of the enhanced Murray Hill Station began in December 2017 and is part of the broader LIRR Modernization Program to support enhanced stations. The project was managed by MTA Construction & Development on behalf of the LIRR. More details of the project and 100 other projects being conducted systemwide to modernize the LIRR can be found at aModernLI.com. The renewal was performed on budget for $8.6 million.

The station first opened in April 1889, at street level. This section of the Port Washington Branch was depressed below street level in 1912. LIRR station improvements, including demolition and replacement of the pedestrian overpass, new staircases and other station amenities were completed in November 2005.

Average daily ridership was recently more than 1,200, making it the 69th busiest of the LIRR’s 124 stations.