Forte Construction Opens First Elevator at 42nd Street–Times Square

Forte Construction is proud to announce the successful commissioning of Elevator 230 at the 42nd Street-Times Square subway station, one of the busiest and most iconic transit hubs in the world. This marks the completion of Phase One of a two-phase project at this station, with one additional elevator scheduled to open in the next phase.

This elevator is the seventh of nineteen to be completed under MTA contract E34052, a design-build initiative focused on replacing outdated elevators across key stations in Manhattan and Queens. The project is part of the MTA’s broader effort to modernize infrastructure and improve accessibility systemwide.

In the heart of Manhattan, where space is tight and foot traffic never stops, executing a project of this scale required coordination, adaptability, and focus. The team rose to the occasion, overcoming the unique logistical hurdles of a live subway environment to deliver this critical phase on time and to the highest standards.

As always, one of the highest priorities of our team was improving safety. Previously, accessing the elevator machine rooms for maintenance meant using a narrow catwalk positioned directly alongside active train tracks. As part of this upgrade our team constructed a new combined elevator machine room within the mezzanine area. This modernized space now serves both elevators and eliminates the need to work in such close proximity to train traffic, ensuring safer and more efficient maintenance operations.

Thanks to the close collaboration between Forte Construction, our lead designers Goldman Copeland, and the MTA, we successfully upgraded Elevator 230 to meet ADA compliance, creating a safer, more accessible, and modern transit experience for all riders.