Headed to work? A day trip outside of the city? Your hometown? No matter what, you’re passing through Grand Central for, your trip just got quite the facelift.
The MTA has just completed its extensive, five-year Grand Central–42nd Street Circulation Improvement Project. This long-awaited rehabilitation upgraded three key Midtown subway stations accessible from below the station: Times Square, Bryant Park, and Grand Central.
The project, officially announced on October 28th, focused on improving accessibility and easing congestion for the approximately 400,000 riders that utilize these stations daily
🔧What enhancements to expect:
- 🪜 Additional and upgraded staircases
- 🛗 New escalators
- ⏫ 20% expansion of the mezzanine floor space
- 👩💼 A new Customer Service Center
- 🖼️ Two new artworks
- 🎨 Modifications to three existing artworks
- 💵 New fare control area
- 🧑🏭 New paint, floor tiling and lighting upgrades
- 👷♀️ Additional upgrades for safety including widened staircases and floor areas
Representative Jerrold Nadler said:
“For too long, accessibility and crowding were real barriers. Transit should be accessible to everyone, and I am proud that with new elevators, wider passageways, and improved circulation, this project delivers the kind of modern, inclusive transit system our city deserves.
Throughout the station, the upgrades also significantly enhanced accessibility and improved foot traffic circulation by installing new fare control areas.
These improvements include 30 new turnstiles, raising the station’s total to 92, a nearly 50% increase over the last five years. This investment is designed to substantially reduce congestion, allowing for quicker and easier access to the subway system, commuter trains, and the retail locations within Grand Central Terminal.
What can we expect from all of these improvements? Efficiency, productivity, and better commutes for all.
The rehabilitations affect the 4, 5, 6 and 7 trains, as well as the shuttle train that runs between Times Square- 42nd Street and Grand Central- 42nd street. These lines now include one new street-to-mezzanine elevator and the replacement of an existing one.
Additionally, three elevators running from the mezzanine to the uptown and downtown platforms for the Lexington eastbound lines and the Flushing 7 line were replaced.
These upgrades are sure to reduce congestion and lead to happier New Yorkers! Read more about the completed project on the MTA’s website!