Metro-North Upgrading Accessibility At 3 Westchester Stations

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Getting around will ideally get easier for everyone with planned accessibility improvements to three Westchester County Metro-North stations.

The MTA Metro-North Railroad announced upgrades to three stations along the Harlem Line that will make it easier to reach the platform at aging structures.

The MTA said that it would be making major improvements at Purdy's, Hartsdale and Scarsdale stations this year. The upgrades are part of the MTA Capital Programs and will provide street and platform elevators and other improvements, including ADA-compliant sidewalks with curb ramps, new public staircases, increased electrical capacity and new CCTV.

While the improvements will make life easier for all commuters, the planned upgrades are expected to make a notable difference in the lives of those with disabilities.

“With every new ADA station, we can attract new customers, and close the geographic gaps between accessible stations on our railroads,” MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo said. “As a regular Metro-North customer, I know firsthand the new elevators will improve the experience at these stations for customers with mobility disabilities, and the countless riders who travel with luggage, strollers, bicycles and more.”

Purdy's station improvements, expected to begin in mid-April, will include:

• enclosed elevator tower serving parking lot level and roadway above level on north end of parking lot
• new ADA-compliant elevator with all necessary components and equipment
• ADA-compliant sidewalk from the new elevator to the station entrance, including LED lighting.

"I commend Metro-North for investing in important upgrades to the Purdys station as part of the capital plan approved by the state legislature," New York State Senator Pete Harckham said. "This will help to attract riders back for work and leisure."

Hartsdale station improvements, for which prep work began in late February, will include:

• two enclosed elevator towers located on each platform side serving street level to platform level and overpass level
• two ADA-compliant elevators
• ADA-compliant sidewalks from each elevator at street level
• elevated walkway connecting elevator tower to existing overpass level
• benches, leaning bars, new LED lighting, heaters on existing overpass

Scarsdale station improvements, which started in late March, will include:

• ADA-compliant sidewalk from elevator at street level
• enclosed elevator tower
• ADA-compliant elevator to serve customers who need to use inbound platform; new walkway to connect elevator platform level landing to station platform and overpass
• current overpass to inbound platform, which has previously been struck by passing trains, and staircases leading to/from it, will be raised seven inches
• benches, leaning bars, new LED lighting and heaters on existing overpass
• motorcycle parking to be built at street level

"The start of these projects along the Harlem Line is great news for the communities they serve and Westchester County," Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. "Modern public transportation is a key to survival for our metropolitan area. It's a huge benefit to residents and a selling point to corporations. These station upgrades will greatly enhance accessibility for the disabled, increase safety and improve customer comfort."

The contract was awarded to contractor Paul J. Scariano, Inc. The entire three-station project is expected be completed in March 2023.