The first fully accessible subway station that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) opened in Brooklyn last week, reports News 10.
With the MTA being the city's main source of efficient transportation, and with only about a quarter of MTA stations being fully accessible this project has taken priority. Now, that two elevators and a walkway overpass has opened at Livonia Avenue Station along the L line, riders can now access both platforms from the street via the structures.
“These elevators are a major enhancement for Brownsville and East New York riders, and it’s just the star," said Jamie Torres-Springer, MTA’s president of construction and development. Thoughtful design, careful construction management, and close partnership with the City of New York, local elected officials, and the community enabled us to complete this complex project.”
On opening day, riders spent extra time at the station checking out all the new features, which also include new lighting and camera systems.
“Elevators make it possible for those traveling with mobility devices, strollers, bicycles, and luggage to get to where they need to go in a dependable fashion,” stated Quemuel Arroyo, the MTA’s Chief Accessibility Officer and Senior Advisor.
In the future, the nearby Junius Street station on the 3 line will also be made accessible with a transfer connection between that station and the Livonia Avenue train stop. The MTA said a request for proposals is currently in development.
