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MTA Opens Modernized Elevator at Coney Island Station

The upgrade at the busy Brooklyn transit hub provides improved reliability for nearly 9,000 daily riders.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Home Renovation

Isometric editorial illustration of a metallic transit elevator shaft and modular canopy, representing modern urban infrastructure accessibility.
The MTA has opened a modernized elevator at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station, improving transit reliability for nearly 9,000 daily Brooklyn commuters. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The MTA has opened a modernized elevator at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue subway station in Brooklyn. This upgrade serves nearly 9,000 weekday riders and is part of a broader transit initiative to improve station accessibility across the city.

Why it matters

Reliable elevator access is critical for neighborhood mobility, and this project is the 25th replacement completed by the MTA in 2026 alone. The work directly enhances safety and daily commuting reliability for thousands of local residents and families.

The Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station serves approximately 9,000 riders each weekday. This completion brings the total number of fully accessible MTA stations to 164, with 49 stations having gained accessibility since 2020.

The players

MTA

The agency responsible for public transportation in New York City and the primary authority overseeing station accessibility and capital improvements.

Forte Gramercy JV

The engineering and design firm responsible for the elevator project at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station.

Mid-America

The specialized contractor that handled the installation of the new elevator equipment and mechanical systems.

The details

The modernization project replaced the elevator cab and performed modifications to the shaft and pit. The work also included street-level glass and canopy replacements for the headhouse. Technicians upgraded essential safety infrastructure including remote monitoring, fire alarms, intercom systems, and security cameras to ensure long-term reliability.

Timeline

  1. 2020: The MTA began its recent concentrated period of station accessibility improvements.

  2. 2025: The MTA set a record for annual elevator replacements.

  3. 2025-2029: This period covers the MTA capital plan for accessibility investment.

  4. 2026: The MTA reached its 25th elevator replacement of the year.

  5. October 29, 2026: The modernized Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue elevator officially opened to the public.

The Home Front

This project aligns with the $7.1 billion investment commitment outlined in the 2025-2029 MTA capital plan. It represents a significant step in the agency's long-term goal of making at least 60 additional subway stations fully accessible to all commuters.

Commuters who rely on elevator access at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station can now utilize the modernized facility for daily transit. If you notice persistent issues with station equipment, use the intercom systems or report the outage to the MTA to support ongoing maintenance.

The takeaway

The MTA remains focused on hitting its accessibility targets through a massive capital investment strategy. Residents should keep track of planned station improvements in their neighborhoods to understand how local transit access will change in the coming years.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest infrastructure projects across the region in our Home Renovation section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by BKReader.

Live Poll

Does your local transit system do enough to prioritize elevator accessibility for passengers with disabilities?