Opening of the New Church Avenue Station with Upgraded Accessibility

TAP Electric is proud to celebrate, alongside the Package 3 Design-Build Team led by Halmar International and Lead Designer Dewberry Engineers, the MTA, and the New York City Department of Transportation, the official opening of the new Church Avenue Station serving the B and Q train lines. As a key electrical subcontractor, TAP Electric played an essential role in delivering fully ADA-accessible station upgrades, including new elevators, stairs, and a modernized mezzanine control area.

The project required the buildout of nearly all-new electrical and communication infrastructure for this station's ADA retrofit. Work began with the safe decommissioning and removal of an unused MTA structure at East 18th Street, followed by construction of a fully accessible mezzanine control area expanding to both platforms. The new elevators and corresponding stair installations were supported by extensive electrical modifications and new system integrations.

New electrical systems were installed throughout the station, including an Electrical Panel Room (EPR) equipped with a Lighting Panel, Fare Control Panel, lighting, and Heat trace controls. The Elevator Machine Room was equipped with a distribution board, elevator lighting panel, fire alarm, and ventilation controls. Street-level control area was illuminated with slim LED fixtures mounted on custom brackets to blend in with the architectural design.

The team also connected new communication systems to the existing network, including new access nodes tied to the Passenger Station Local Area Network (PSLAN), updated customer information signs with new Ethernet cabling, a new CCTV and PACIS cabinet, and integration of the new fire alarm system with the public address. A brand-new public address system enhances communication throughout the station.

Modern Solari-style information displays were installed, featuring double-sided platform signs and new LCIS units within the existing control areas. Additional power distribution enhancements included Eaton power panels tied into the existing Normal and Reserve systems, new feeder breakers installed without disrupting service to the station, and several new conduits strategically routed through the canopy to the new control area.

Lighting played a major role in the station’s transformation. Apogee fixtures now illuminate the station, while platform lighting was redesigned with custom fixtures inspired by original historic elements revealed during the canopy reconstruction.

Life-safety enhancements include a new full-station fire alarm system, fire standpipe monitoring panel, advanced emergency two-way, talk to text communication system installed in the elevators and ADA/ PID cameras.

The team takes particular pride in the design, procurement, and timely installation of the electrical equipment supporting the new elevators, completed in alignment with the fabrication schedule. Extensive platform surveys ensured the elevator shafts avoided existing platform duct banks containing traction power, communications, and signal cables. Establishing a new mid-station control area serving both platforms required careful rerouting of the PSLAN fiber cables, lighting circuits, and CCTV infrastructure.

This milestone brings meaningful accessibility and station improvements to the community, marking an exciting new chapter for riders at the Church Avenue Station.