Subway Platform Gets a Makeover
It’s rare that scaffolding, steel girders, and caution tape are a welcome sight, but on the 168th Street 1 train platform, they are evidence that a long-overdue renovation is really happening.
With some helpful prodding—and contributions toward the cost—by Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, the MTA has begun making structural and cosmetic repairs to the grand archway over the 1 tracks and adding improvements such as new lighting, granite platforms, an emergency intercom system, and Wi-Fi.
Columbia has long been eager to help improve the 168th Street subway station, which is among the MTA’s 50 busiest stations in the city, with a ridership of 7.5 million a year. The city has 468 subway stations throughout the 659-mile system. A partial ceiling collapse at the 181st Street station in 2009, which was built around the same time and has the same architecture as the 168th Street station, highlighted the need for renovations. That station is getting its repairs now, too.
Because the 168th Street subway station is the gateway to CUMC for thousands of employees, faculty, patients, staff, and students every day, improvements were among the priorities of the College of Physicians and Surgeons strategic plan.
“CUMC and NewYork-Presbyterian are world-class institutions for research, education, and patient care, but you wouldn’t get that from the subway station. These improvements will make what is, for many, the doorstep to our campus more inviting.” said Ross Frommer, CUMC’s vice president for government and community affairs and associate dean.
NYP considers the project an example of a productive collaboration.
“The hospital, the medical school, and the MTA all recognized the benefits of working together to enhance the 168th Street subway station,” said Sharon Greenberger, NYP’s senior vice president for facilities development and engineering. “We applaud the MTA and CUMC for their efforts and collaboration on this mutually beneficial project.”
The project is expected to be completed in July 2016, but some of the improvements will likely be noticeable by the end of this year. At least 10 weekend closures are planned during the course of the project.