MTA Chooses Jacobs for Role as Program Management Consultant in LIRR Station Enhancement Initiative
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has enlisted the services of Jacobs as the program management consultant for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station improvements project. The initiative, focused on enhancing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and passenger safety, is part of a broader modernization and safety drive for the LIRR.
Under Governor Hochul's administration, the MTA has aggressively pursued safety upgrades systemwide, with plans to install platform edge barriers at over 50 subway stations by the end of 2025, and a target of more than 100 stations by the end of the year. The LIRR is also undergoing extensive lighting upgrades, with 342 stations already equipped with brighter LED bulbs, contributing to safer and more accessible station environments.
The LIRR's focus on service reliability and passenger experience improvements is evident, with record ridership and satisfaction in 2025. Infrastructure projects, including the recent $2.3 billion purchases of new train cars, aim to modernize the LIRR to meet growing demand and accessibility standards.
Jacobs, a leading contractor in infrastructure projects, is well-equipped to handle the LIRR station improvements. Known for their work on ADA compliance enhancements and safety elements, Jacobs' involvement in the project is likely to bring about improvements such as the installation and rehabilitation of ADA compliant elevators, escalators, ramps, platform replacements, canopy replacements, architectural upgrades, and wayfinding enhancements.
The design-build contract for the LIRR station improvements project includes updates to the Babylon, Forest Hills, and Hollis stations. Jacobs will provide program management services for the project, including construction and commercial management, design compliance, and risk identification. The total contract value, as estimated by the MTA, is $227.5 million.
Chrissy Thom, Senior Vice President at Jacobs, expressed that the LIRR provides essential mobility to Long Island and the wider New York City metropolitan area. The goal of the LIRR station improvements project is to bring three crucial pieces of the system into ADA compliance and a state of good repair, ultimately connecting New York City commuters to their destinations smoothly into the future.
The MTA has anticipated the final completion of the LIRR station improvements project in 2026, aligning with the authority's ongoing commitment to safety, accessibility, and passenger experience. Improvements to the LIRR stations will not only enhance the daily commute for the system's approximately 260,000 customers but also contribute to the broader modernization and safety drive spearheaded by the MTA under Governor Hochul's administration.
- The management of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has enlisted technology from Jacobs, a leading contractor in infrastructure projects, to spearhead the station improvements.
- The project, which includes upgrades such as installation and rehabilitation of ADA compliant elevators, escalators, ramps, platform replacements, canopy replacements, architectural upgrades, and wayfinding enhancements, is a part of the finance-driven modernization and safety drive for the LIRR.
- The design-build contract for the project covers updates to several key stations, including Babylon, Forest Hills, and Hollis, which are crucial for connecting New York City commuters to their destinations.
- The focus on improvements in the transportation industry, specifically on the LIRR, includes not only safety and accessibility upgrades but also extensive bus, subway, and rail infrastructure projects.
