PHOTOS: MTA Opens New Elevator at 59 St-Columbus Circle Station Thanks to Private-Public Partnership

Elevator Completed Ahead of Schedule at No Cost to MTA

See Photos of the New Elevator

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the opening of a new mezzanine to platform elevator at the 59 St-Columbus Circle station serving the southbound lines and northbound line. The elevator was built using a public-private partnership model, where the elevator is paid for and constructed by a developer, Global Holdings, and maintained by the MTA. The elevator adds redundant service to the station, which is already accessible.

While the station is already ADA accessible, the new elevator provides additional capacity in one of the system's busiest transit hubs. The station also opened a replacement escalator last year, also paid for by a private developer.

This project reflects the MTA's growing strategy to deliver accessibility improvements across the system by leveraging public-private partnerships. By collaborating with developers, the MTA has been able to accelerate transit upgrades, expand accessibility, and direct public funding towards other high-priority needs across the system.

"The MTA is utilizing innovative methods, like public-private partnerships, to deliver accessibility better, faster and cheaper," said MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. "The new 59 St-Columbus Circle elevator is proof that smart construction strategies can deliver real results for riders while saving millions in the process."

"Redundant elevators help guarantee all subway riders around the clock access to our stations," said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. "By working with outside partners, the MTA can reach its goal of systemwide accessibility faster by investing capital dollars in more stations than if we were at it alone."

In addition to the elevator, crews installed security cameras, upgraded the security system, created a new vacuum room and made upgrades to mechanical, electrical and communications systems within the elevator. The station opened a replacement escalator last year, also paid for by a private developer.

The elevator manufacturer is Mid-American Elevator.