New York Construction Report staff writer
In time for the New York Yankees’ 4-2 opening day win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, Forte Construction Corp. successfully completed the replacement of two vital escalators at the historic Yankee Stadium – 161st Street station in the Bronx. These escalators serve as the only free and accessible connection between the underground B/D trains and the elevated 4 train, making them crucial for the station’s functionality.
The 112-year-old station, which sees over 5.3 million riders annually, is the busiest in the Bronx and the 54th-busiest station in the MTA’s 472-station network.
As part of a nine-month MTA modernization project, Forte replaced escalators that had been in service for more than 20 years. The new escalators feature larger, quieter motors, offering enhanced reliability and smoother operation. The modernization also included significant upgrades to the equipment machine room (EMR), which now boasts a new sprinkler system, air conditioning units, more secure doors, updated fire alarms, and a remote escalator monitoring system to provide real-time oversight of the escalator system.
“We are proud to have completed this project at Yankee Stadium on behalf of the MTA,” said Forte Project Manager Nirmal Bharatia. “These upgrades will not only improve the station’s functionality but will also enhance the passenger experience.”
The project presented several challenges, especially given the station’s high ridership and the increased traffic volume during baseball season. To minimize disruptions, the construction team worked closely with the MTA, scheduling excavation work and water service installation during non-peak hours. These efforts were crucial in maintaining smooth traffic flow while ensuring that critical fire suppression systems were installed to protect the station.
This modernization effort is part of a broader initiative to upgrade transit infrastructure across the MTA system. Forte Construction has also completed escalator renovations at other key locations, including Roosevelt Island, High Street, 53rd St./Lex Ave., Bowling Green, Penn Station, and most recently, DeKalb Avenue.
