Stations to Be Upgraded with New Elevators, Renewed Staircases and Modernized Platforms
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that major accessibility upgrade and station renovation work will begin this month at three Metro-North Railroad Harlem Line stations in the Bronx: Williams Bridge, Woodlawn, and Botanical Garden.
Crews will completely rebuild the Williams Bridge and Woodlawn stations and make them accessible with new elevators at each platform for a total of four elevators across the two stations. Utility relocation has already begun at Woodlawn Station. Workers will replace both platforms at each station to add an internal system that melts snow as it falls to prevent buildup automatically, and they will replace platform foundations and piers. They will also fully replace the stairways on both platforms, extend the platforms and make additional station upgrades.
At Botanical Garden Station, crews will renew all elements of the station to ensure that they remain in a state of good repair and replace both elevators. They will also perform structural repairs to both platforms with full replacement of select piers and platform sections, upgrade stairs, ramps, and walkways, replace the historic wood canopy, build new canopy shelters on the southbound platform. They will rebuild ramps that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and perform other station upgrades.
“We’re slashing fares and increasing frequencies in the Bronx so that Metro-North serves New Yorkers just as well as it does our suburban customers,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This project makes sure that these new and old customers will have first class, modern and accessible stations so Bronxites can take full advantage of the access Metro-North provides to jobs, education and all that the region has to offer.”
“The Bronx relies on these three stations for fast, reliable connections to Manhattan and Westchester. It’s time to make them accessible to everyone,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “We’re excited to turn Woodlawn, Williams Bridge, and Botanical Gardens into the world-class stations our customers deserve, and we’re ready to do it better, faster, and cheaper than ever before.”
“These three stations are used by thousands of people each day in the Bronx with connections to the subway, NYCT Buses and even a Bee Line bus stop nearby to take people to Westchester County,” said Metro-North President Justin Vonashek. “This project continues to confirm the MTA’s dedication to creating a public transit system that is accessible to everyone with the most modern amenities available.”
“Whether on the subway or Metro-North, ensuring the Bronx has accessible transit is a top priority of the MTA,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “The investment in these stations is part of our broader commitment to building a transit network that works for everyone – enabling people with disabilities, older adults, and caregivers with strollers to navigate the entire MTA system safely and independently.”
The project will require work to be performed concurrently at all three stations with work on the railroad right of way. Long-term, continuous track outages will be provided to support the project. Each station and platform shall remain boardable for the full duration of the project. Innovative construction phasing will be required to maintain service at each platform. This may include the use of partial platform closures, temporary platforms, temporary staircases, and temporary ramps. The MTA will coordinate with NYC Parks, NYC Transportation, Con Edison, and NYC Environmental Protection.
"Universal transit accessibility is vital, whether you have a disability or if you are a parent with a stroller," said New York State Senator Jamaal Bailey. "The groundbreaking to improve the Botanical Garden, Williamsbridge, and Woodlawn train stations is a great start to the Capital Plan. This project expands equitable transportation options, connecting more Bronx residents to jobs, education, and opportunity. Thank you to Chair Lieber, Presidents Torres-Springer and Vonashek, colleagues in government, and community advocates for helping bring this vision to life. Investing in public transit is investing in the Bronx’s future.
“The proposed MTA renovations to these three Metro North Stations will dramatically increase accessibility and improve our public transportation throughout the Bronx,” said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. "The addition of elevators at the Woodlawn Station, in my district, and the Williams Bridge Station will significantly increase rider usage and improve the quality of daily commutes. The Bronx Botanical Garden remains a beautiful gem within the Bronx, and restoring this station will allow the public to maintain access to the garden and experience the historical station, both essential to the Bronx community.”
“Accessibility is for everyone, and I'm particularly excited about the Woodlawn Station, which is which is in my district, but for all the stations,” said NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “I'm so appreciative that he's talking about this, because in the past, we've had people with a very Manhattan-centric view of our transit system and of our city, and of our state. But the reality is amazing things happen in the Bronx and outside Manhattan. The Chair recognizes that people take the train to the Bronx, that the Bronx is a destination for people to go to, and I am just so excited for these projects to come to fruition.”
Williams Bridge Station is located below the intersection of East Gun Hill Road and Webster Avenue and is adjacent to the Bronx River Parkway. The station consists of two side platforms that can be reached from the East Gun Hill Road bridge. The existing station contains a partial canopy on the southbound platform, and a shelter shed on the northbound platform. Williams Bridge customers can connect to the Bx41-SBS, the Bx28, Bx38 and Bx41.
Woodlawn Station is located at East 233rd Street near Webster Avenue. The station also consists of two side platforms, both of which can be reached from East 233rd Street, and a parking lot adjacent to the southbound platform. The station has shelter sheds on both platforms. Woodlawn Station customers can connect with the 2 and 5 subway, Bx16, Bx31, Bx39 buses and the Bee Line Bus.
Botanical Garden Station is located adjacent to the New York Botanical Garden’s entrance on Southern Blvd., between Bedford Park Blvd. and Mosholu Parkway. The station was built in the 1890s and consists of two side platforms. The existing station includes a historic wood canopy structure located on the outbound platform that leads to a kiss-and-ride drop-off area. There is a shelter on the southbound platform and two community gardens adjacent to it. There is a pedestrian overpass connecting the platforms, with staircases and elevators connecting the platforms to the overpass. Botanical Garden Station connects thousands of New Yorkers to the nearby New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and to the Bx41-SBS, Bx25, Bx26 and Bx41 buses.