After years of waiting, Brooklyn’s iconic Smith-9th Street subway station — the tallest in New York City and one of the tallest in the world at nearly 90 feet above ground — is about to get a major upgrade.
The MTA, along with New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, announced plans to install elevators at this notoriously hard-to-climb station, making it accessible for thousands of daily riders.
If you’ve ever taken the F or G train through Gowanus, you know this station is no ordinary stop.
Riding the subway here often feels like scaling a skyscraper just to catch your train — a serious challenge for anyone with mobility issues, strollers, heavy luggage, or just tired legs.
For years, riders have struggled with the steep stairs, and elevator access has been a distant dream. That’s about to change.
This elevator installation is part of the massive 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan, which will add elevators to over 60 subway stations citywide — including several other key Brooklyn hubs like Court Street, Hoyt-Schermerhorn, and 4th Ave–9th Street.
These upgrades will push NYC’s subway system to over 50% accessibility, helping nearly 70% of New York City Transit riders get around more easily.
Senator Gounardes, who has championed subway accessibility for years, put it simply:
“Every day, New Yorkers hike the stairs up this station like they’re climbing Mount Everest. With elevators coming, that’s finally going to change. The subway belongs to every New Yorker.”
Assemblymember Simon added that this victory is decades in the making, and a huge step toward transit equity:
“Climbing the tallest station in the system shouldn’t be an endurance test.”
Accessibility isn’t just a technical upgrade — it’s a lifeline for entire neighborhoods. For Red Hook NYCHA residents, Smith-9th Street is the closest subway station, and without elevators, it’s a daily struggle.
Residents and local leaders alike are celebrating the news, calling it a long-overdue boost for seniors, families, and workers who rely on this stop every day.
MTA’s Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo called the plan a borough-wide win:
“Brooklyn has 36 new ADA stations coming, and Smith-9th Street is just the beginning.”
With congestion pricing funds fueling these improvements, more Brooklyn stations will soon join the accessibility revolution.
