Governor Hochul Announces Groundbreaking of Bryant Park Accessibility Project, One of Six Stations Now Under Construction Funded by Congestion Pricing

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has begun improvements at 42 St-Bryant Pk BDFM7 and 5 Av 7 station complex to make the major transit hub fully ADA-accessible. New elevators, platform upgrades, a new accessible in-station transfer to 5 Av 7 station, and state of good repair work will benefit over 100,000 daily riders, all made possible with funds from congestion pricing. Bryant Park is one of six station accessibility projects now under construction funded directly by revenues generated by congestion pricing, which will ultimately deliver accessibility improvements to at least 23 subway stations.

"New Yorkers have already been feeling the benefits of less traffic, safer streets, and cleaner air thanks to congestion pricing, now we take the benefits to the next level as we unleash billions in investment to improve our transit system," Governor Hochul said. "As Governor, I have made upgrading our subway system to make it truly accessible to all a core priority, with renovations to dozens of stations either completed or under construction today. Thanks to funding from congestion pricing, we can expand that effort to the major hub at Bryant Park and five more stations across the system, improving the rides of over 100,000 New Yorkers every day."

The Bryant Park project includes construction of four new elevators, three new mezzanine-to-platform elevators at 42 St-Bryant Park, including one that connects the Times Square Shuttle pedestrian pathway to the northbound 42 St-Bryant Park platform, and one mezzanine-to-platform elevator at 5 Av 7 station. Additionally, project crews will construct a new in-system accessible corridor from 42 St-Bryant Park BDFM to 5 Av 7, to allow customers requiring a stair-free path of travel to access 5 Av 7 platforms. Other improvements include platform reconstruction at both stations, new accessible fare gates, four upgraded stairwells, accessibility upgrades to the men's and women's restrooms at 42 St-Bryant Park BDFM, and state of good repair work at 5 Av 7 station.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "New Yorkers want to know how this program is working - new subway cars, modern signals, making stations ADA accessible, and now towards a better 42 St-Bryant Park station. We're making it easy to spot with signage highlighting projects made possible by Congestion Pricing here and all over the MTA system."

MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, "By making the 42 St-Bryant Park/5 Av station complex fully accessible, we're making major improvements to the busy subway lines that connect the heart of Midtown. These are the types of upgrades that congestion pricing makes possible, giving riders a more accessible and more reliable trip wherever they're going."

MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo said, "This 42nd Street-Bryant Park connector is a major step toward creating a fully accessible corridor for New Yorkers and visitors alike. By connecting some of our busiest subway stations with critical accessibility improvements we are making the transit system more inclusive, seamless, and accessible for everyone. Thanks to congestion pricing, we're accelerating this essential work and delivering much needed progress."

New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said, "Safe, reliable and efficient service starts with stations, and this project will greatly improve how customers navigate stations in the heart of Manhattan. With new elevators, platform and stairwell upgrades and accessible fare gates, riders at Bryant Park can expect a smoother commute for decades to come."

The MTA is also coordinating the accessibility project alongside work to revitalize the retail corridor inside the Times Sq-42 St station, converting four vacant retail storefronts to restaurant space to improve the passenger experience across the station complex.

The project is the latest in a string of investments along the 42 St corridor at Grand Central-42 St, 42 St-Bryant Park, and Times Sq-42 St stations. Work includes redesigning passageways and platforms, adding elevators, expanding stairways and transforming the Times Square Shuttle into a fully accessible service. The centerpiece of the project is the rebuilt Shuttle, which opened in March 2021. On its Times Square side, there is one large island platform with tracks on both sides, a new feature that makes it easier for riders to board trains quickly. The station is now ADA-accessible and has a larger, more modern entrance. The project also created an in-station transfer between Times Sq-42 St and 42 St-Bryant Park, providing a free connection between the NQRWGS1237 and BDFM lines.

The announcement of the start of construction at the 42 St-Bryant Park/5 Av station complex also unveiled new signage riders will see highlighting projects that are enabled by congestion pricing. Signage at other projects made possible by congestion pricing across the system will be rolled out in the coming weeks as construction advances.

In addition to the 42 St-Bryant Park project, congestion pricing is funding ADA upgrades now under construction at five further subway stations.

• Kingsbridge Rd 4
• 167 St BD
• Gates Av J
• Briarwood F
• ADA Package 9 - Parsons Blvd F

Revenue generated by congestion pricing is providing $15 billion in funding for the MTA 2020-24 Capital Plan, including projects to rebuild, improve and expand New York's transit system, including $3 billion for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, $3 billion for signal upgrades along the ABCDFM lines, $2 billion for new railcars and buses, $5 billion for state of good repair work and $2 billion for accessibility improvements to at least 23 subway stations.

Additional projects made possible by congestion pricing funding include:

Beginning Active Construction

• ADA: Package 7 - Kingsbridge Rd 4
• ADA: Package 7 - 167 St BD
• ADA Package 9 - Gates Av J
• ADA Package 9 - Briarwood F
• ADA Package 9 - Parsons Blvd F

A full list of projects funded by congestion pricing can be found here.

Representative Jerry Nadler said, "The new elevators at the 42nd Street-Bryant Park station marks an important step toward a fully accessible subway system for all New Yorkers. Thanks to congestion pricing, we are seeing real results: cleaner air, less traffic, and critical investments in our public transit system. Despite relentless efforts by the Trump administration to undermine this program, congestion pricing continues to deliver for our city. I am grateful to the advocates and community members who fought to make this possible, and I will continue pushing for a subway system that every New Yorker can access safely and independently."

Assemblymember Tony Simone said, "I am excited to see greater accessibility through new elevators at Bryant Park, which will make our transit system available to the thousands of New Yorkers who visit the park every day," said Assemblymember Tony Simone. Again and again, we are reaping the benefits of congestion pricing, and I applaud the MTA for delivering real and significant improvements throughout the system."

Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal said, "42nd Street-Bryant Park is one of the busiest subway stations in Manhattan serving over 57 million passengers every single year. Bryant Park also sits at the epicenter of Manhattan's hotel district, and it's about time we provide tourists with heavy luggage, parents with strollers, and New Yorkers with disabilities step and hassle-free access to our subway system. Even better: this transformative ADA accessibility upgrade was funded thanks to congestion pricing - proving once again the unparalleled possibilities congestion pricing offers to complete much-needed upgrades to our subway system. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul, MTA Chair Janno Lieber and the entire MTA for their commitment to improving accessibility across Manhattan, and look forward to our continued partnership to deliver the best possible passenger experience for all Manhattanites."

Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA Executive Director Lisa Daglian said, "Congestion Pricing is improving the lives of New Yorkers in so many ways, from making our transit system more accessible to reducing traffic to improving air quality. Today's announcement is yet another example of how the funds being raised are being invested in making the commutes of millions of riders around the region better every day."

Executive Vice President at Regional Plan Association Kate Slevin said, "Nearly two years since congestion pricing was implemented, New Yorkers are seeing it deliver on its key promises. The ADA improvements at the 42 St-Bryant Park/Fifth Ave station are one example of that progress, making our transit system more accessible for all riders. This is exactly the kind of investment congestion pricing was designed to support and why we must continue building on its success."

New York State Environmental Defense Fund Director Kate Boicourt said, "By every measure, congestion pricing is working. We're proud to celebrate important investments that are making our transit system more accessible and efficient. This program has generated hundreds of millions of dollars for new elevators and other accessibility upgrades across the subway system, all while improving air quality citywide and speeding up commutes. We applaud Governor Hochul and the MTA for championing this program and look forward to continued progress toward a healthier, more equitable city for all New Yorkers."