MTA Announces Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av (6) Station Now Fully Accessible

Project Includes $98.6 Million in Federal Funding with Three New Elevators for ADA Accessibility, New Stairways, and State of Good Repair Work

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the completion of three new elevators, making the Westchester Sq-E Tremont Av​station fully accessible. In addition to the new elevators, crews upgraded platforms, replaced existing and built new staircases and created new ADA boarding areas.

Westchester Sq-E Tremont Av​station, which serves 3,800 daily riders, is the first subway station to be made accessible in 2025.

The project includes one new street-to-mezzanine elevator and two new mezzanine-to-platform elevators, four new platform stairways, and eight refurbished stairways. Crews installed new lighting and tiles, repaired concrete, steel and paint defects, and refinished platforms with new tactile edge strips featuring ADA boarding areas for an improved customer experience.

A number of safety enhancements were made in the station, including a new fire alarm system, CCTV cameras and upgraded communications systems, signs, and customer information.

"We're not slowing down when it comes to adding new accessible stations to the subway map in 2025," said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "The​ is MTA's busiest line, and now thousands of North Bronx seniors, parents with strollers and people with disabilities have full use of the subway and access to jobs, education and everything New York has to offer."

"Newly accessible stations like Westchester Sq are the fruits of our efforts to deliver projects better, faster, and cheaper," said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. "The ADA upgrades and state of good repair work we completed here strengthen transit accessibility and improve service reliability for riders both in the Bronx and throughout the entire system."

"We are committed to providing the best possible customer experience every trip, every day, to and from every station," said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. "The MTA continues it's amazing pace of transforming stations with the addition of new elevators, staircases, signage and lights creating a transit system that is open to everyone."

"Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av, which serves as a terminal for four different bus routes, is a prime example of how we unlock thousands of new trips by making just one station accessible," said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. "Accessibility benefits all of our customers, and we are ensuring each community, including the East Bronx, is prioritized with five other accessibility projects on the​ line already in construction or announced."

"I am thrilled that we now have a fully accessible train station at Westchester Sq-E Tremont Ave! Now, travelers who are mobility impaired or parents with strollers, can access the​ train safely," said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. "I have long advocated for fully accessible train stations across the city, to ensure we aren't locking our neighbors out from the most reliable mode of transportation we have or forcing travelers into precarious situations with their strollers or walking aides. I am proud that we were able to secure the federal funding to make this project possible. I thank the MTA for partnering with us on accessibility efforts across our district."

"The completion of accessibility upgrades at the Westchester Square-East Tremont Avenue station marks a significant advancement toward a more inclusive transit system," said New York State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. "With new elevators, improved platforms, and enhanced safety features, this station now ensures that riders of all abilities can travel with greater ease and dignity. As the first subway station to achieve full accessibility in 2025, this station sets a hopeful precedent for what we can accomplish by prioritizing accessibility and modernization."

"The completion of new elevators at Westchester Sq-E Tremont Av​station enhances not just accessibility but also safety for riders. The addition of CCTV cameras, a fire alarm system, and upgraded communications systems ensures a more secure environment for all commuters," said New York City Council Member Amanda Farías. "These improvements, alongside new stairways and ADA boarding areas, show a commitment to making public transit both inclusive and safer for everyone. This project ultimately elevates the quality of life for daily riders by creating a more reliable and secure travel experience. As the Council Member who represents this community, I am excited to see this project completed for all our neighbors in Westchester Square and the surrounding neighborhoods!"

"The opening of the new elevators at Westchester Sq-E Tremont Avenue is a significant achievement that is part of a larger capital plan to ensure our subway stations are accessible for all New Yorkers commuting to their destination," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "I want to thank the MTA and transit advocates for their work on this project and commitment to upgrading our city's transit infrastructure."

New artwork at the Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av station by artist Shervone Neckles honors the area's early native inhabitants. The Land Between Open Water (2024) refers to Snakapins, a large village inhabited by the indigenous Siwanoy population, a band of Munsee-speaking Lenape, who lived for centuries in the area now known as The Bronx. The artwork commissioned by MTA Arts & Design consists of eight full-height, painted steel panels set within the walls of the station at the platform level. Inspired by items found during archeological excavations, The Land Between Open Water features such items as a box tortoise shell and antlers used by the Siwanoy to make jewelry, bowls, and other tools. Patterned backgrounds pick up lines and marks from fragments of indigenous earth-ware and pottery. A scene featuring a modern cityscape atop an earth pit, or underground storage used by the Siwanoy, is a nod to another artwork at the station: Romare Bearden's faceted glass artwork City of Glass, installed in 1993. Four images repeat on both the southbound and northbound platforms, also visible from the street. Gold accents inset on the black metal panels enliven the surfaces with a soft glow. This artwork is intended to offer present and future generations a tangible way to connect with the past.

The approximately $122.5 million project includes $98.6 million in federal funds. Approximately 22.5% of the project budget has been awarded to DBE firms. The project's contractor is MLJTC2 Joint Venture, and the elevator manufacturer and installer is Modern Elevator.

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