New York City’s tallest subway station will soon have elevators, ending the daunting climb to the platform, state officials announced Friday.
The Smith-9th Street subway stop in Gowanus, Brooklyn is the tallest station in New York City and one of the tallest in the world. Rising nearly 90 feet above ground, it lacks elevators and efficient escalators, making accessibility difficult for many New Yorkers — including people with disabilities, seniors and commuters carrying packages.
However, the accessibility challenges at the busy station, home to the F and G trains, are about to change. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, who represents the area, said on Aug. 8 that the station will get elevator access as part of the MTA’s approved $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029.
“Every day, New Yorkers hike the stairs up this station like they’re climbing Mount Everest, struggling to catch the train on time. And if you use a wheelchair, push your child in a stroller, travel with luggage or simply struggle climbing the stairs, forget about it,” Gounardes said. “With elevators coming to the Smith-9th Street station, that’s finally going to change.”
The MTA did not say when the elevators would open at the 92-year-old station. But the announcement follows the opening of the fully ADA-accessible Bay Ridge-95th Street station in Brooklyn on July 8.
Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon commended the MTA for making accessibility a priority in its capital plan, adding that the Smith-9th Street station has a “long history” of escalators breaking down.
“Adding elevators to the station is a huge win for transit equity and for the thousands of riders who rely on this stop every day,” Simon said. “Climbing the tallest station in the system shouldn’t be an endurance test. I commend the MTA for making accessibility a priority in the Capital Plan, especially at tough stations like Smith-9th that present greater challenges than most.”
Officials said the upgrades will bring the subway system to more than 50% accessibility.
“No station better demonstrates the need for accessibility than Smith-9th Street, the highest point in the entire subway system, and we’re excited to start work there and throughout the borough soon,” MTA chief accessibility officer Quemuel Arroyo, said.
The MTA has to meet a court-approved settlement to ensure that 95% of NYC’s subway stations are ADA-accessible by 2055.
