New Escalator Opens At Union Square L Train Station: Photos

UNION SQUARE, NY — In a bit of positive subway news, the MTA announced on Saturday the completion of an escalator connecting the upper walkway to the L train platform at the Union Square station.

The construction of the shiny new escalator in Lower Manhattan was part of the MTA's L Train Project to rebuild the train line's tunnels and stations after Super Storm Sandy.

"This new escalator is another achievement for the larger L project team that delivered that huge project early and below budget," said MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber, in a news release. "Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic we're using innovative strategies to deliver customer improvements faster and at lower cost than ever before."

While the L platform at Union Square is not nearly at capacity during the coronavirus pandemic, it is usually among the most congested in the entire New York City subway system.

Roughly 20,000 customers use the platform hourly during morning rush hour, according to the MTA.

The MTA says the new escalator will speed up passenger entering and exiting times and allow trains to arrive safely and more quickly.

The escalator at the Union Square L train station is the 231st in the subway system.