Construction planned for Bowling Green subway, park

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) presented its proposed construction schedule for a new canopy and elevators at the Bowling Green 4/5 subway station to the Financial District Committee of Community Board 1 on January 12. The plan, intended to provide accessibility to the station for those with disabilities, calls for construction of a canopy over the entrance to the 4/5 station immediately in front of the National Museum of the American Indian and installation of a nearby elevator kiosk with one passenger elevator. Stones in Bowling Green Plaza will also be replaced by granite pavers to level the area, and a wheelchair-accessible path leading to Bowling Green Park will be created.

Construction, which will occur entirely within a barricaded area stretching from the subway entrance in front of the museum to Broadway, is scheduled to begin in February 2006 and last through spring 2007. Pedestrian and emergency vehicle access from Whitehall Street to Broadway will be maintained at all times. Once canopy installation is completed in the third quarter of 2006, the barricaded area will be reduced for elevator construction and installation to continue.  Work on granite pavers outside of the barricade area will take place in small sections cordoned off by tape.  Work will occur in station areas.

Scheduled construction, particularly of the canopy, may entail some work on nights and weekends, during which time the entrance to the subway station directly in front of the museum may need to be closed. The MTA will make every effort to coordinate with work being performed as part of the South Ferry Project to help minimize closures and disruption.