Work To Make UES Subway Station More Accessible Starts This Year: MTA

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — An Upper East Side subway station is getting an accessibility makeover.

Last week, representatives from the MTA met with Community Board 8’s Transportation Committee to discuss plans for a long-awaited project, responding to years of requests from Upper East Side residents.

The subway station on E. 86th Street and Lexington Avenue is set to become ADA-compliant with the addition of three new elevators and other accessibility upgrades.

Kana Ervin, a representative from the MTA's Construction and Development team, said that while the station currently has one elevator, it does not currently offer full accessibility.

The goal of the project is to add one new street-level elevator for the station's southbound platform and two new upper- and lower-platform elevators that would service both directions.

Construction will also include the implementation of an ADA-compliant raised boarding area featuring "platform edge tactile strips," as well as the reconstruction of multiple staircases throughout the station and the addition of new curb ramps at street level.

The upgrades are part of ADA Package 5, a project aimed at improving accessibility at thirteen stations across the five boroughs. Judlau Contracting, Inc., a subsidiary of OHLA, was awarded a design contract worth $577.2 million for this initiative.

The MTA is also planning to implement "general station environment upgrades," including new lighting fixtures and updates to the fire alarm and communication systems.

The MTA stated that they are presently coordinating with local utilities, the Department of Transportation, and other agencies. While the timeline remains fluid, they anticipate commencing demolition and excavation sometime this summer and completing all construction by 2026.

Ervin emphasized that the MTA will ensure continuous access to crosswalks and sidewalks at street level throughout the project. Limited platform closures will be necessary, but these will only affect one side at a time.

During the first and second phases of the project, the M86 bus stop on 86th Street will remain fully operational.

The majority of construction will occur during the regular DOT-approved hours of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, since some evening work will be necessary in order to minimize traffic disruptions, the MTA assured that they will be notifying the community well in advance, Ervin said.

Station access will be upheld during construction, although temporary closures of stairs and platforms will occur during the refurbishment process.

Ervin emphasized that the MTA will inform the community in advance once the dates for these closures are scheduled.

Following last week's presentation, the majority of residents and committee members responded favorably to the design, expressing excitement about the planned upgrades to the Upper East Side transit hub.

"We're all in the area and everywhere really delighted that this is finally happening, it's very much needed," board member Michele Birnbaum said.

The 86th Street station was first listed in 2019 as part of 70 stations to receive accessibility upgrades as part of a $5.5 billion capital plan.