Multiple Wash Heights Stations Will Get Accessibility Upgrades: MTA

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A trio of Washington Heights subway stations will receive accessibility upgrades in the coming years, the MTA announced at the end of last week.

The 181st Street A train station, along with the 1 train stops at 168th Street and Dyckman Street, are among the stations that the MTA intends to award and construct Americans with Disabilities upgrades to in 2023.

The details on what the specific upgrades will be are not available yet, but multiple Upper Manhattan representatives voiced their support.

“It’s great news that the procurement process is underway to install new elevators at the 168th Street 1 Train station in my Assembly district," Uptown Assembly Member Manny De Los Santos said in a news release. "Train stations without ADA elevators mean that many residents have difficulty accessing important destinations, from places of employment to banks and housing options from healthcare and cultural centers to recreational opportunities throughout the city."

Of the three Upper Manhattan stations listed, the MTA projects that upgrades will actually open at the Dyckman 1 train station and the 181st Street A train station by the end of the year.

The Dyckman stop is already ADA accessible to an extent as it was renovated with an elevator to the southbound platform in 2014. While the new upgrade isn't specified, an elevator for the northbound platform has been in the works for years.

In the case of the 181st Street A train station, it is also already in part ADA accessible, but there have been plans to open new elevators within the station.

The 168th Street 1 train station is a different story, the plan is not to open an upgrade within the stop by the end of the year but instead award an upgrade to the station that will be constructed in the coming years.

The station is not currently ADA accessible even though it has elevators, but it is unclear what the new project will be.

"Today’s announcement about the 148th Street/Lenox Avenue 3-train station in Harlem and the 168 Street 1-train Station in Washington Heights brings much-needed relief to the community by updating these stations’ elevators and platforms to be wheelchair and ramp accessible," Rep. Adriano Espaillat said in a news release. "I look forward to construction beginning and completing these vital projects.”