FTA to award $343M in grants to improve accessibility at transit-rail stations

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) last week announced that eight transit systems in eight states will receive funding to help make it easier for people with disabilities and mobility needs to access some of the nation’s oldest and busiest rail transit systems through essential upgrades, such as elevators.

Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the $343 million in grants represent the next round of funding from the All Stations Accessibility Program. Upgrading the stations will create opportunities for people with disabilities to independently use transit-rail systems across the country to access jobs, community services, social activities, and all other destinations most people take for granted, FTA officials said in a news release.

The agencies and their grant awards are:
• Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City, $156.5 million, to improve accessibility at the Wakefield-241st Street, Kingsbridge Road, 167th Street, 145th Street and 110 Street stations;
• New Jersey Transit, $83 million, to improve accessibility at the Brick Church station on the Morris and Essex Line;
• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, $67.6 million, to upgrade platforms at 14 stops along the Green Line's light-rail B and C branches;
• Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, $16 million, to rehabilitate eight stations to make the entire Blue Line accessible;
• Pittsburgh Regional Transit, $8 million to make several stations along the Red Line accessible;
• New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, $5.5 million, to redesign and upgrade the St. Charles Streetcar route;
• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, $4.7 million, to construct platforms, wheelchair ramps and other improvements at five Muni light-rail stops on the J-Church Line and three Muni stops on the M-Ocean View Line; and
• Maryland Department of Transportation/Maryland Transit Administration, $1.4 million to conduct engineering and design work to make the College Park MARC station on the Camden Line fully accessible.