Published: Feb. 23, 2023, 2:33 p.m.

By Erik Bascome | tbascome@siadvance.com

Staten Island Railway

The Huguenot Staten Island Railway station will receive an elevator as part of an MTA accessibility project announced Thursday.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An elevator is coming to the Huguenot station of the Staten Island Railway (SIR) as part of a wide-ranging effort to enhance accessibility throughout New York City’s transit system.

On Thursday, the MTA announced that 17 stations across the five boroughs are scheduled to receive contracts this year for accessibility upgrades, including an elevator at the Huguenot station.

“I am happy to see this project coming to fruition. Once installed, this elevator will greatly increase accessibility for anyone who cannot currently manage the steps and will raise their quality of life by lowering their travel time considerably,” said Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore).

The project is part of a larger $5.2 billion initiative to improve accessibility at 67 New York City Transit and SIR stations throughout the city.

“We are determined to make the NYC Transit system fully accessible, not just for persons with disabilities, but also for seniors, for parents with children who are in strollers and travelers with luggage,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “That’s why we are doing station accessibility projects at four times the pace of previous MTA Capital Programs, and why we made an agreement with disability advocates that we won’t slow down until the system is truly accessible to everyone, once and for all.”

Other stations that are scheduled to receive contracts for accessibility upgrades in 2023 include:

  • Van Cortlandt Park-242 St (1)
  • Harlem-148 St (3)
  • 96 St (B, C)
  • 81 St (B, C)
  • 86 St (4, 5, 6)
  • 46 St-Bliss St (7)
  • 33 St-Rawson (7)
  • Broadway (N, W)
  • Court Sq-23 St (E, M)
  • New Lots Ave (3)
  • Classon Ave (G)
  • 36 St (D, N, R)
  • Huguenot (SIR)
  • 168 St (1)
  • Broadway Junction (A, C)
  • Broadway Junction (J, Z)
  • Broadway Junction (L)

Additionally, the MTA announced that new elevators currently being constructed at 12 stations across the city are expected to be completed in 2023, including the two elevators coming to the Staten Island Railway station in New Dorp, though an exact completion date has not yet been announced.

“It’s critical that the MTA make necessary upgrades to its facilities, so they are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The current construction at New Dorp station and this planned installation of an elevator at Huguenot will further make public transit more accessible to handicapped members of our community who deserve equal access to these services,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn).

In September 2019, the New Dorp and Huguenot stations were among the first Staten Island stations identified for accessibility upgrades, alongside the Clifton station, which has yet to receive a contract.

The stations will be made fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, part of the agency’s effort to ensure that customers are never more than two stops from an accessible station.

“The Huguenot station is a key hub along the Staten Island Railway, with thousands of students and workers accessing this site every day. Making this improvement is a much-needed upgrade, for which I am glad the funding is being allocated. I commend the MTA for making these necessary improvements,” said State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island).