Federal funding keeps some MTA elevator projects on track

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Elevators can make or break the commute for some New Yorkers. The pause in congestion pricing has put some accessibility projects on hold. The MTA held a groundbreaking on Monday in Brooklyn at Classon Avenue on the G line because federal money will keep some plans on track. On the station [...]

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Elevators can make or break the commute for some New Yorkers. The pause in congestion pricing has put some accessibility projects on hold. 

The MTA held a groundbreaking on Monday in Brooklyn at Classon Avenue on the G line because federal money will keep some plans on track. 

On the station stairs with her cane, Dawn had a message for the MTA and elected leaders. 

“All those staircases, it’s too much, too much to bear. Not only this station, a lot more stations,” she said. 

The Classon Avenue accessibility and station improvements will be funded by $57 million in federal funds. Both platforms will be fully accessible from the street. 

The MTA said the federal funding is involved in 13 accessibility projects throughout the boroughs, which is the agency’s largest bundle of upgrades. 

The federal funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law amounts to $500 million. 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer secured the funding. 

Leader Jeffries attended the ceremony in his district and recalled rides in the G train. 

“We are continuing to work hard to provide a substantial amount of federal government resources to the city and MTA to have a state-of-the-art, world-class system,” said Jeffries. 

Jefferies said he supports the temporary pause in congestion pricing, and the federal government can be a partner. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said projects will advance and funding will be announced by 2025. 

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber welcomed the partnerships. 

“We are upfront with New Yorkers about the impact of the pause. We had to reprioritize for state-of-good repair. That affected some projects,” he said. 

The MTA has opened a record number of new elevators in the last few years. 

Disability advocates sued to get continued improvements. MTA has warned as many as 25 elevator projects could be reprioritized until the state funding plan to replace or unpause congestion pricing is resolved. 

“Remind the governor that New Yorkers with disabilities are a priority. She should keep her promise,” said Khalia Hayslett. 

The completion date for Classon Avenue is set for the last quarter of 2026:

• Three new elevators: one connecting the street level to the mezzanine and two connecting the mezzanine to the platforms serving both directions.
• Four new raised boarding areas, with new platform edge tactile strips, are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Staircases will be refurbished to ADA standards. 
• Two currently closed mezzanine-to-platform staircases will be reopened, increasing the total number of mezzanine-to-platform staircases from four to six.
• One new curb ramp at the northwest corner of the plaza where the new street elevator is located.
• New turnstiles with OMNY readers, including an automated wide-aisle fare gate.
• Replacement of communications and public announcement systems,
• Upgrades to fire alarms, sprinklers, lighting, and targeted structural repairs and painting.