Sheepshead Bay Station: Accessible, Resilient, and Back in Service

Sheepshead Bay Station is officially back in service — a proud milestone for the community and another successful delivery for the Package 3 Design-Build team. As a key subcontractor to Halmar International, with Dewberry serving as Lead Designer in collaboration with the MTA, Forte Construction is proud to celebrate the completion of the final phase of work at this elevated station, originally constructed in 1916 and opened to the public in 1917.

With the commissioning of elevators EL 793 and EL 794 and the reopening of the newly constructed Control Area, Sheepshead Bay now provides full ADA accessibility to both B and Q line platforms — enhancing mobility and improving the daily experience for riders.

Located within a designated flood zone, the elevators and critical back-of-house spaces were designed and constructed to be floodproof up to 7’-0”, strengthening the station’s long-term resiliency and protecting essential infrastructure for years to come.

Careful coordination and precision guided every level of construction. All rigging operations were performed using an articulated knuckle boom to maneuver materials at platform level, while overhead concrete pumps supported structural placements. A temporary shielding system allowed platform work to proceed safely above Sheepshead Bay Road. To maintain continuous service, a temporary platform was built over the future stair and elevator locations and removed and reinstalled during each General Order weekend, ensuring the station reopened safely every Monday morning.

The scope of work extended well beyond the elevators. The project included construction of a new Control Area (B027A) with two new stairs providing a new street-to-platform entrance where a former deli concession once stood. At the existing Control Area (B027), two new elevators, a new Elevator Machine Room, and ADA boarding area upgrades were completed. Mechanical, electrical, and communications systems were upgraded, architectural finishes were refreshed, and a new Dry Fire Standpipe system was installed. The project also delivered sidewalk bumpouts, ADA ramps, traffic signal upgrades, street markings, and major utility improvements including relocation of a 12” water main, installation of new water service, 8” gas mains, and new catch basins.

A special highlight of the project was the preservation of the station’s historic artwork. One of the original murals and tile banding was replicated and refabricated by the original artist, Deborah Goletz, using the original molds and glaze recipes from 1997 to ensure the new installation is an exact match to the original design.

Sheepshead Bay Station now stands more accessible, more resilient, and fully equipped to serve the community for generations to come.