Ringing in the New Year with EL 229 at the Heart of Times Square

Elevator EL 229 at the 42nd Street–Times Square Station has officially been placed into service—four months ahead of schedule and in time for New Year’s Eve in New York City! Delivered by Forte Construction, in collaboration with the MTA and Lead Designer Goldman Copeland, this milestone marks another major achievement for the 19 Elevators team at the busiest subway station in the MTA system.

EL 229 is the 14th elevator placed into service under the 19 Elevators Project and the first Phase 3 elevator to open. Its commissioning builds on the successful delivery of Elevator EL 230, completed during Phase 2, and together the two elevators provide modern, dependable accessibility for riders using the N, Q, R, and W lines.

Identical in design to EL 230 and supported by a shared machine room, EL 229 progressed efficiently from construction to commissioning, allowing the team to accelerate delivery while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance. This approach reflects the strong coordination and thoughtful planning that continue to drive progress across the project.

Delivering an elevator at Times Square—especially during one of the busiest times of the year—requires coordination across all teams. Daily collaboration with the MTA, PCEO, PMC, and the design team ensured steady momentum, with active participation and clear communication supporting smooth execution. Strategic planning around pedestrian flow and carefully timed deliveries allowed work to advance while maintaining a safe, efficient station environment for the millions of riders who pass through each week.

With EL 229 now in service, the project celebrates the first of six Phase 3 elevators delivered, leaving just five more to go to complete all 19 elevators under the 19 Elevators Project.