After years of local advocacy, Columbia University is set to help improve accessibility at the 125th Street station on the No. 1 subway line. The university will contribute $33 million to fund an elevator from the street to the mezzanine and to widen escalators at a key intersection. The MTA will handle the costs for two additional elevators connecting to the platforms and other necessary station repairs.
The total project cost is still being finalized, but similar upgrades usually range between $70 and $80 million. Construction is expected to begin in 2028, with a design phase starting this year. Sean Fitzpatrick from the MTA highlighted the importance of adding accessibility across the subway system. “This is just the beginning of our efforts,” he said.
As part of a sweeping $70 billion plan, the MTA aims to make at least 60 more stations compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Since 2020, they fast-tracked improvements, adding elevators or ramps at 57 stations. By 2055, they need 95% of all stations to be accessible due to a court mandate.
Many local residents have pushed for these changes for years, frustrated by the challenges faced by people with disabilities. Dave Robinson from the Morningside Heights Community Coalition remarked, “This has been a long battle, but a necessary one.” The 125th Street station serves a vital role for the surrounding community, including many elderly and disabled individuals.
The station itself is quite tall, with a 50-foot height, and has escalators that lead to staircases connecting to the subway platforms. Currently, those escalators are often out of service; data shows they operated just 88% of the time from January to February, with some days falling to 51% availability. Last year saw a record 48 escalator outages, impacting thousands of daily riders.
Rodolfo Serrano, a 72-year-old local resident, expressed his longing for an elevator, especially on days when the escalators malfunction. Local officials and residents have rallied for better access, especially since the nearest subway elevators are four stops away at 96th Street.
Moreover, neighboring upgrades are underway, including elevators at the 137th Street-City College station, expected to be completed this summer. Fitzpatrick credits community advocates for helping reach agreements that prioritize these accessibility upgrades.
This project is a key part of Columbia’s expanding footprint in West Harlem, having opened its Manhattanville campus nearly a decade ago. As Columbia continues to grow, it recognizes the need to positively impact the surrounding community and improve accessibility for everyone.
Overall, these improvements are not just about infrastructure but about enhancing lives. Ensuring everyone can navigate their community easily is essential for a truly inclusive city.
