Governor Hochul Announces Progress in Increasing MTA Accessibility

Governor Hochul Announces Progress in Increasing MTA Accessibility  ny.gov

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Sep 1, 2023 - 09:30
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Governor Hochul Announces Progress in Increasing MTA Accessibility

Accelerated Pace of Accessibility Projects in NYC Subway System

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority today announced the accelerated pace of completion of accessibility projects across the New York City subway system with the opening of another fully accessible station, Grand St L station in Williamsburg, Brooklyn – the fourth across the transit system in 2023. The opening followed a summer in which significant progress was made on accessibility improvements. In July, the MTA celebrated Disability Pride Month with a wide array of events and announcements including the opening of three fully accessible stations: Court Square G station in Queens, Dyckman St 1 station in Upper Manhattan, and 8 Av N station in Brooklyn.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The completion of accessibility projects in the New York City subway system aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. These goals include:

  1. Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities – By making the subway system accessible to all individuals, regardless of their physical abilities, the MTA is working towards reducing inequalities in transportation access.
  2. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Creating an inclusive and accessible public transportation system contributes to building sustainable cities and communities.
  3. Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The collaboration between Governor Kathy Hochul, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and other stakeholders demonstrates the importance of partnerships in achieving the SDGs.

“The Grand St L station is the most recent example of our hard work to ensure that no New Yorker has to worry about whether they can safely access public transportation,” Governor Hochul said. “The MTA shares our commitment to delivering accessibility improvements across New York City and will continue to strive to make transit accessible to all.”

Accelerated Pace of Accessibility Projects

The pace in which the MTA is awarding contracts for accessibility projects is five times what it was before 2020. The MTA has awarded contracts for 13 stations in 2020, 10 stations in 2021, 13 stations in 2022, and previously announced its plan to award contracts for 17 stations by the end of the year.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership significantly decreased, the MTA prioritized expanding accessibility improvements in the subway by completing 15 accessibility projects. Following today’s announcement, there are 142 accessible stations and 30 stations in construction for accessibility upgrades, eight of which are expected to be complete by the end of 2023. Those stations are:

  • 181 St
  • Tremont Av
  • E 149 St
  • Lorimer St
  • Metropolitan Av
  • 7 Av
  • Beach- 67 St
  • New Dorp

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “When it comes to accessibility, the MTA is delivering on an unprecedented commitment – both in terms of dollars or number of stations – and we are going to keep going at the same pace and level of investment until we achieve full accessibility.”

Positive Impact on the Community

NYC Transit President Richard Davey said, “We’re excited to welcome Brooklyn L customers to their new, accessible station, which also has also been enhanced with freshly installed eye-catching mosaic artwork by a local Brooklyn-based artist. This has been a summer full of accessibility milestones in the system, from enhanced wayfinding for customers with disabilities to a number of newly accessible subway stations. We will keep up this momentum, and I look forward to celebrating several more accessible stations opening later in 2023.”

MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “Newly-accessible stations like Grand St L are the fruits of our efforts to execute projects better, faster, and cheaper through innovative delivery methods such as contract bundling. We are on track to complete this particular eight-station package of ADA upgrades, which will greatly improve accessibility not just in Williamsburg but throughout our transit system.”

MTA Chief Accessibility Officer and Senior Advisor Quemuel Arroyo said, “I’m proud to join my MTA colleagues in opening two new elevators at the Grand St L station, making it the first accessible station in East Williamsburg, as the journey continues to make transit more accessible for everyone including riders with disabilities, seniors, families with strollers, and visitors. Just over a year ago, the MTA joined accessibility advocates to celebrate a settlement that affirmed we’re all committed to the shared goal to expand accessibility across our subway system, and that continues to materialize, one station at a time.”

Artistic Enhancements and Funding

The Grand St L station accessibility project was funded by a grant provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and completed as part of a design-build package of eight stations throughout the subway system, the first such bundle undertaken by MTA Construction & Development (C&D) to deliver accessibility upgrades better, faster, and cheaper. The remaining stations from that bundle are projected to open later this year.

In June, as part of the station’s accessibility design-build package, MTA Arts & Design announced new mosaic artwork commissioned by artist Glendalys Medina, Gratitudes Off Grand. The resulting work is comprised of vividly colored geometric forms–circles, diamonds, squares, and rectangles reflecting the artist’s practice inspired by Taíno, hip-hop and Latino cultures and music. Medina’s art also focuses on the way humans create sense out of the world such as the way brains organize patterns. For more on this piece, click here.

Commitment to Accessibility

The 2020-2024 MTA Capital Plan includes a historic investment of $5.2 billion to make 67 subway stations ADA accessible, more than any capital plan in the MTA’s history and more than the last three capital plans combined. In addition, the Authority is delivering accessibility projects at an unprecedented pace, completing 21 ADA stations since 2020, double the number of ADA stations completed in the previous six years.

In July, the MTA also began rolling out innovative new wayfinding features across 11 subway stations and 24 stops along the M60 bus route in Manhattan. These tools include:

  • Floor

    SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

    1. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

    • Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all.
    • Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.

    2. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being

    • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
    • Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (defined as the average coverage of essential services based on tracer interventions that include reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and service capacity and access).

    3. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

    • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
    • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age and persons with disabilities.

    4. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

    • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
    • Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.

    5. Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

    • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
    • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships (PPPs) or sector-specific programs.

    Analysis

    1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

    The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:

    – SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

    – SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

    – SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

    – SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

    – SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

    2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

    Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:

    – Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all.

    – Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.

    – Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of disability.

    – Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.

    – Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public-private and civil society partnerships.

    3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

    Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

    – Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

    – Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services.

    – Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.

    – Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.

    – Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships (PPPs) or sector-specific programs.

    Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

    SDGs Targets Indicators
    SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems for all. Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
    SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services. Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services.
    SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of disability. Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
    SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being. Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road.
    SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public-private and civil society partnerships. Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships (PPPs) or sector-specific programs.

    Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

    Source: governor.ny.gov

     

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