What to Know
- The MTA plans to close two Washington Heights subway stations for around a year each — though not at the same time
- Starting this coming Jan. 5, 1 trains will not stop at the 168th Street as the MTA installs four new elevator cars, among other upgrades
- In total, five stations in Washington Heights are undergoing repairs, though only two will close
The MTA plans to close two Washington Heights subway stations for around a year each — though not at the same time — as part of an elevator replacement project.
Starting this coming Jan. 5, 1 trains will not stop at the 168th Street as the MTA installs four new elevator cars, upgrades elevator shafts and carries out mechanical work at the station, the agency said. The 181st Street 1 train station will then be closed from March 2021 to February 2022
Three stations will also undergo construction for elevator repairs, but the stations will remain open, with trains stopping and non-elevator entrances available for use:
- The 181st Street A train station, from October 2019 to October 2020
- The 191st Street 1 train station, from February 2020 to February 2021
- The 190th Street A train station, from November 2020 to October 2021
The MTA initially said all five stations would be closed during repairs, but later sent a revised release to clarify only two of the stations would be closed.
The MTA said it plans to amp up M5 bus service in the area to compensate for the closures, and will allow free MetroCard transfers to M3, M4 and M5 buses between 157th and 168th Streets, the MTA said.
Local
Customers will still be able to take the A and C trains at the 168th Street station. There is a free walking transfer between the 1 train stations at 215th Street or 207th Street and the Inwood-207th Street A train station, the MTA noted.
The agency will also be offering “three-legged transfers” on a “limited basis.”
“For example, a rider from the Bronx wishing to get to the A line may take the Bx10, transfer to the Bx7 and then swipe into the A station at Inwood-207th Street on one fare (bus to bus to train),” the agency said.
In a statement, NYC Transit President Andy Byford said the elevator replacement projects were “long overdue and critical for reliable access to these unique ‘deep stations,’” adding that the MTA had “put together a schedule that takes care not to cause unnecessary inconvenience for customers.”
“We thank our customers for their patience during this extraordinary work and hope they take advantage of the enhanced bus service and additional free transfers we’ve arranged for the duration of the projects,” he said.
