MTA board OKs funds for subway station accessibility upgrades

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) board earlier this week passed a capital plan amendment to provide additional funding for accessibility improvements at subway stations.

The amendment includes $300 million to undertake critical station improvements such as adding elevators and redesigning stairs, mezzanines and platforms.

Once cost estimates are obtained, the agency will finalize a list of additional stations to be updated. Up to five stations may receive the accessibility and circulation improvements, MTA officials said in a press release.

"We are putting an increased focus on accessibility with all of our planning moving forward, and this plan amendment is a direct result of that promise," said MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota.

MTA's 2015-2019 capital plan includes nearly $1 billion to make subway stations compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

MTA New York City Transit President Andy Byford has previously stated that accessibility has been one of his top priorities since he arrived at the agency.