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    MTA announces first ADA improvements under Zoning for Accessibility coming to 57 St F Station

    Dec. 8, 2021
    New elevators are the first transit improvement bonus under Zoning for Accessibility.
    Related To: MTA Headquarters
    Marc A. Hermann / MTA
    Views of the 57 St Station on the F line where an elevator is to be installed at the northwest corner of West 56 St & Avenue of the Americas.
    Views of the 57 St Station on the F line where an elevator is to be installed at the northwest corner of West 56 St & Avenue of the Americas.

    The first transit improvement bonus awarded under Zoning for Accessibility was unveiled by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) at the 57 St F subway station.  

    These improvements will make the station fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

    “This agreement is proof that the MTA’s historic Capital Plan, along with partnering with private developers, will allow the authority to modernize the entire transit system as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said MTA Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “The MTA is committed to making our transit system more accessible to all New Yorkers, especially riders with mobility disabilities, seniors and parents of young children.” 

    In addition to the improvements listed below, the developer, Sedesco, will reimburse the MTA for the cost of maintaining the two new elevators. The work is expected to begin in 2022.  

    “Sedesco is pleased to partner with the MTA to help upgrade the 57th Street subway station and ensure it is accessible to all New Yorkers,” said General Counsel of Sedesco Derek Gilchrist. “It is a significant step toward enhancing the station while benefitting our development at 41-47 West 57th Street.”  

    Improvements include: 

    • Street to mezzanine elevator near the southwest corner of 56 St and 6 Av. 
    • Mezzanine to platform elevator. 
    • Elevator machine room servicing both elevators.  
    • Communications equipment to support both elevators and Help Point intercoms.  
    • Reconfiguration of the fare control line and new Automated Farecard Access Gate to accommodate the mezzanine to platform elevator.  

    “Riders with disabilities, parents or caregivers with children in strollers, visitors with luggage and so many others will benefit from these new elevators and suite of station improvements, increasing access to Central Park, Carnegie Hall and this bustling area of Manhattan. Thanks to Zoning for Accessibility, these improvements will be made on a faster timeline, and at no cost to the MTA and the taxpayer,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo.  

    “These improvements are a historic milestone in our efforts to improve the transit system for all riders through faster and cheaper capital work,” added President of MTA Construction and Development Jamie Torres-Springer. “Zoning for Accessibility shows what the MTA can accomplish as we use every tool available to accelerate projects - in this case partnerships with the city of New York and developers to include station improvements in their investments. We look forward to many more improvements through this innovative program in the future.”