Harlem’s 137th Street 1 Train Station Just Got A Major Upgrade. Here’s What Changed

HARLEM, NY — Getting to the 1 train at 137th Street is now easier for riders who need a stair-free route: The MTA has completed accessibility upgrades at the 137 St-City College station.

Two street-to-platform elevators now serve both platforms at Broadway and West 137th Street. The project also added an accessible fare gate at each entrance, widened the street staircases and built accessible boarding areas on both platforms.

"Making the 137 St-City College station fully accessible is a huge investment in equity, independence, and opportunity for Harlem residents and City College students," Assemblymember Jordan Wright said.

The station serves more than 9,400 riders a day, including students, faculty and staff at City College, as well as nearby residents. The upgrades also make it easier to reach Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park, State Sen. Cordell Cleare said.

Crews also installed tactile warning strips along platform edges and upgraded communications, electrical, ventilation and fire alarm systems. At street level, work included resurfacing Broadway, adding curb cuts and new public seating, widening a median and installing new light poles and pavers.

The station is one of the city’s original 28 subway stations, built before modern accessibility standards, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said.

"This project brings the station into the 21st century," Lieber said.

137 St-City College is the last of four stations in the MTA’s ADA Package 4 to receive accessibility upgrades.

The others are Northern Boulevard in Queens, Bay Ridge-95th Street in Brooklyn and Parkchester in the Bronx.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.