MTA Plans Elevators at Brooklyn’s Tallest Subway Station

The Smith–9th Street subway station in Gowanus, Brooklyn, the tallest in New York City at nearly 90 feet above ground, will soon receive elevators as part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's newly approved $68.4 billion 2025–2029 Capital Plan. This upgrade aims to address the station's long-standing accessibility challenges caused by its steep stairs and unreliable escalators, which have made commuting difficult for riders with disabilities, seniors, parents with strollers, and travelers with luggage. State Senator Andrew Gounardes, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, and MTA officials highlighted that the elevators will transform the arduous climb, previously likened to scaling Mount Everest, into a more inclusive and manageable experience. While the MTA has not specified a construction timeline, the work is part of a broader initiative to make over 50% of the subway system accessible, moving toward a court-mandated goal of 95% accessibility by 2055. Community leaders emphasized that the improvements are especially critical for NYCHA residents and seniors who rely on the station as their primary transit link. The recent opening of the fully ADA-accessible Bay Ridge–95th Street station in Brooklyn underscores the MTA's commitment to enhancing transit equity throughout the borough.