UES Subway Station Rolls Out Accessibility Upgrades

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Three new escalators have been installed at an Upper East Side subway station, as part of an ongoing modernization effort of the New York City Subway system.

The new escalators are located on the mezzanine and platforms of the Lexington Avenue-East 63rd Street subway station, which serves the F line. The escalators were activated on Monday.

Three other stations also received updated escalators and elevators throughout the subway system on Tuesday, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, including Union Square, 145th Street, and the B/Q/R station at DeKalb Avenue.

In total, the upgrades span 11 different lines.

"Today's completion of upgraded elevators and escalators at 14 St-Union Sq and Lexington Av-63 St — both in my congressional district — is exactly the kind of proactive investment our system needs," Congressman Jerry Nadler said.

"By replacing aging equipment before it fails, the MTA is delivering on its promise of a more reliable and inclusive transit system for all New Yorkers."

The upgrades were financed through New York's capital project funding, MTA CEO Janno Lieber said.

"MTA’s accessibility agenda involves more than just building brand new," Lieber said. "It’s equally important to replace older, existing elevators before they break down and leave customers stranded, and thanks to Governor Hochul we now have the money to do that."

Manhattan's next elevator replacements will be at the West 72nd Street station, the West 4th Street station, and Union Square.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.