Biden Administration Announces More Than $300 Million Available to Make Transit Stations Accessible for All

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $343 million in Fiscal Year 2024 federal funding to 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. Hundreds of transit stations built before 1990, known as legacy stations, are not accessible to people with disabilities

Funding is available through FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), which supports upgrades to subway, commuter rail, and light rail systems in order to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a total of $1.75 billion for the ASAP program through FY 2026. Last year, FTA announced $686 million to support projects through the ASAP program using Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 funding. Project examples include:

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority received $254 million to make its Myrtle Avenue, Norwood Avenue, and Avenue I subway stations in Brooklyn and the Burnside Avenue subway station in the Bronx fully accessible. Modernization work will include installing elevators, updating platforms to reduce gaps, add tactile platform edge warning strips, modifying fare gates, stairs, and improving handrails.
The Chicago Transit Authority received more than $118 million to modernize the Irving Park, Belmont, and Pulaski stations to make them fully accessible for the first time. Built more than 50 years ago, the stations will be modernized with elevators, ramp upgrades, improved station signage, and general station enhancements.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority received $56 million to make its 11th Street subway station on the Market-Frankford Subway Line and the Chinatown, Erie, Fairmount Upper Level, Fairmount Lower Level and Snyder stations on the Broad Street Subway Line fully accessible for all passengers. Modernization work at the stations, which were built in the early 20th century, will include installing elevators, general station upgrades, ramps, and making path of travel improvements.

-via Press Release