AS PUBLISHED IN THE MANN REPORT, Thursday, June 4, 2026

June/July 2026 Digital Magazine Page 88-89

Forte Construction Completes Modernization of Three Elevators at Harlem's 125th St. Subway Station

Completed Two Months Ahead of Schedule and Improving ADA Accessibility for A, C, B and D Line Riders

Yes, sometimes New York City subway construction finishes on time or even early. Case in point: general contractor Forte Construction Corp.'s replacement of three elevators at the 125th St. and St. Nicholas Avenue subway station in Harlem, completed two months ahead of schedule.

The station advances the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) ongoing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility program and improves access for riders on the A, C, B and D lines between West and Central Harlem.

Built in 1932, the 125th St. station is one of the busiest transit hubs in the MTA system, serving tens of thousands of riders on an average weekday, according to the most recent MTA ridership data.

Working in close collaboration with the MTA and lead designer Goldman Copeland, Forte replaced decades- old hydraulic elevators and upgraded machine rooms, equipment, elevator shafts and pits, establishing reliable ADA- accessible connections between the street level, mezzanine and platform for riders on the A, C, B and D lines along St. Nicholas Ave.

Construction was conducted primarily during off-peak hours and overnight shifts to minimize disruptions to the public.

"The 125th St. station at St. Nicholas Ave. is among the most utilized stations in the system," said Project Manager Elif Chavez. "Working with the MTA to enhance the rider experience and expand access across Harlem is something we are proud of. It means more people can get to where they need to go, whether that's to work, to school or to one of the many community landmarks that make this neighborhood so special."

Forte has long been a trusted partner in Harlem's transit transformation. In 2017, the company led a comprehensive elevator replacement and full systems upgrade electrical, communications, fire alarm, plumbing and HVAC at the 125th St. and Lexington Avenue station, a critical intermodal hub connecting the 4, 5 and 6 subway lines with Metro- North's Hudson, Harlem and New Haven commuter rail lines.

In 2019, Forte renovated the 145th Street Station as part of a joint venture, installing new CCTV, public address systems, digital information screens, lighting and communications infrastructure and partnering with Boldyn Networks to bring Wi-Fi service to the station and surrounding tunnels.

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