The MTA is putting its effort to improve the system’s century-old stations to make them more universally accessible in high gear, adding elevators, boarding upgrades, and mechanical improvements.

A station renovated as part of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s effort to improve accessibility at its subway stations won a ‘Construction Project of the Year,’ modeling how transit agencies can improve accessibility at older stations.
According to a press release from TAP Electric, a partner on the project team, “The rehabilitation included the installation of two elevators with a street-level elevator machine room; a passageway above the tracks to connect the platforms, new platform windscreens and canopies; new ADA compliant stairs to station platforms and passageways; and station agent booth upgrades. ADA improvements were made to the station’s architectural, structural, and mechanical components, and the control house and platforms were reconfigured to assist in ADA boarding.”
The Livonia Avenue station was built in 1905, and today the L train has a ridership of over 30 million annual riders. “Prior to this vital upgrade, disabled and limited mobility passengers, seniors, and families with young children in strollers could travel to the Wilson Avenue Station in Bushwick – some 2.4 miles away – which was previously the closest ADA-accessible station on the L Line.”
FULL STORY: Brooklyn’s Livonia Avenue Station ADA Modernization Wins Construction Project of the Year

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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