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Replacing elevators at uptown A and 1 stations

We replaced elevators and made upgrades at five subway stations in Upper Manhattan. This will provide customers will more reliable service, reduce crowding, and improve safety at these stations.
Updated Oct 5, 2023

Details

  • Location
    Manhattan
  • Type
    Accessibility, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation
  • Status
    Complete

Area Map

Timeline

Planning
  • 2019: Work begins on the Upper Manhattan station renovations
Construction
  • January 2019: Work begins at 168 St station
  • August 2019: Work begins at 181 St station
  • February 2020: Work begins at 191 St station
  • August 2020: Work begins at 180 St station
  • December 2020: Work begins at 181 St station
Completion
  • December 2021: All elevators projects are completed

About the project

The elevators that served 168 St, 181 St, and 191 St on the   train, and 181 St and 190 St on the   train, were over 80 years old and were in service since those stations first opened in the early 1900s. As they aged, the elevators became more and more unreliable, and water damage made the reliability issues worse.

We removed elevator equipment at each station and replaced it with new elevator systems within the existing shafts. These new elevators: 

  • Provide faster, more reliable service 
  • Reduce crowding with additional points of entry at 168 St   station and 191 St   station, and wider doors at 181 St on the   train
  • Provide security with two CCTV security cameras in each elevator
  • Use new technology to allow us to respond more quickly and precisely if an elevator malfunctions
  • Add a back-up power supply to allow customers to exit the elevator if there is a loss of power to the station

Completed projects

190 St   Station: August 29, 2020-November 2021

New elevators at 190 St are now in service! Construction began August 29, 2020. As part of our work, we found unanticipated issues with some of the steel beams that support the elevator shaft. We have now successfully rectified the issue and replaced these distorted beams, and the project was completed at the end of November. 

We have now successfully rectified the issue and replaced these distorted beams, and the project was completed at the end of November. 

181   StationDecember 5, 2020 - December 2021

Construction began December 5, 2020 and was completed at the beginning of December 2021. The station, which is listed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places, opened in 1906. It reaches a depth of 122 feet below ground. We were able to accelerate this project so that it took place during a period of lower ridership.

A subway station with an elevator

191   Station: February 2020-November 2020

The new elevators are in service! Construction began February 1, 2020, and wrapped up ahead of schedule on November 24, 2020, instead of February 2021, dramatically minimizing the impact on our customers.

The inside of an elevator

181   Station: August 3, 2019-August 2, 2020

The 181 St   station opened in 1932, and is listed on the US Register of Historic Places. The elevator carries customers down 106 feet to the lower mezzanine. We have completely replaced the elevators, their components and mechanical equipment. 

The entrance to an elevator in a subway station.

168   Station: January 5, 2019-December 20, 2019

Here's a rundown of everything we did:

  • Replaced the elevators
  • Repaired the elevator shafts
  • Reopened rear vestibules at the lower mezzanine to ease boarding and exiting the elevators
  • Installed a back-up battery to allow customers to exit the elevators in the case of a power failure
  • Replaced all support machinery
  • Installed two security cameras in each elevator cab for increased security
  • Installed new communications equipment to speed up response time if there's any problem with an elevator
  • New lighting in the lower mezzanine
  • Redid the historic tile work in the lower mezzanine, including salvaging old tile and installing completely new tile to match

The station first opened in 1906. It is listed on the US Register of Historic Places. The platform is 102 feet below ground, or about 10 stories. 

An elevator entrance in a subway station.