New York’s MTA has completed Borough Hall accessibility upgrades for the 4 and 5 trains in Downtown Brooklyn, adding three elevators and step-free access for 22,000 daily riders.

Borough Hall Accessibility Upgrades Complete
Photo: www.governor.ny.gov

Three elevators create a continuous step-free route

According to New York State’s July 22 announcement⁠, the project makes the 118-year-old section of Borough Hall serving the 4 and 5 trains fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

One elevator connects the street and mezzanine levels, while two additional elevators link the mezzanine with the northbound and southbound platforms. Together, they provide a continuous step-free route between the street and trains in both directions.

Crews also reconstructed the platform edges, installed tactile strips and created new ADA boarding areas. Additional work included modifications to the station agent booth and construction of an accessible employee bathroom.

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Repairs address water damage and aging station systems

The project extended beyond the passenger route. Structural deterioration caused by the station’s age and water infiltration was repaired, while the roof, lighting, communications, fire alarm, plumbing and drainage systems were upgraded.

The MTA is also restoring and reinstalling 1,000 square feet of tile mosaics from the original 1908 Interborough Rapid Transit Company station. This element of the work remains underway.

An MTA contracting record⁠ shows that Judlau Contracting received the design-build contract on December 28, 2022. The award was valued at $105,398,530.

Accessibility expands, but the Court Street transfer remains limited

The MTA says 34 subway stations have become fully accessible since 2021, bringing the systemwide total to 160. Accessibility work is underway at another 34 stations.

The completed project applies specifically to the Borough Hall platforms used by the 4 and 5 trains. The MTA’s current station accessibility guidance⁠ states that the transfer to Court Street remains inaccessible.

For step-free access to the 4 and 5 trains, the agency directs riders to the elevator in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall on Joralemon Street.

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