Building Accessibility: Precast Simplifies Subway Elevator Construction in New York City
Improving accessibility in New York City's subway system requires construction solutions that can accommodate tight spaces, heavy traffic and demanding schedules. For an elevator project at the 137th Street-City College station, Deihl Vault & Precast manufactured a custom concrete elevator shaft in five sections. The modular design allowed the sections to be produced off-site, transported through the city and assembled by crane with minimal on-site construction. The completed structure provides a durable, watertight shaft designed to support improved access for subway riders.
Fast Facts
- Project Name:
- 137th St EL 520
- Location:
- New York City, New York
- Precast Products Used:
- Custom five-section precast concrete elevator shaft
- Precast Producer:
- Deihl Vault & Precast Inc.
- Completion Date:
- November 2025
The Challenge
An accessibility improvement project within New York City’s subway system required a custom elevator shaft that could be constructed within the constraints of a congested urban environment.
The shaft needed to meet strict dimensional requirements to ensure proper alignment of multiple stacked sections. Watertightness and long-term durability were also critical, given the structure’s exposure to environmental conditions and its role in supporting public transportation infrastructure.
Transportation and installation presented additional challenges. The project team needed to move large structural components through New York City and assemble them within a limited construction area while minimizing field labor, site disruption and interference with surrounding activities.
Precast Solution
Deihl Vault & Precast manufactured a custom elevator shaft consisting of five precast concrete sections designed to be stacked vertically to form a complete structure.
Each section was produced under controlled plant conditions to maintain consistent dimensions, concrete quality and alignment tolerances. The modular design allowed manufacturing to proceed while site preparation activities continued.
To address watertightness and durability requirements, the structure incorporated Concrete Sealants CS-1800 exterior protective coating, along with CS-231 and CS-102 joint sealing systems. These materials were used to protect against water infiltration and environmental exposure.
After fabrication, the five sections were transported to New York City, lifted into position by crane and stacked to form the completed elevator shaft. The sections fit together as designed, allowing installation to proceed without the extensive on-site forming, concrete placement and curing associated with cast-in-place construction.
- 5 Custom precast concrete sections used to construct the elevator shaft
- $350,000 Cost of precast concrete
- 3 Protective coating and joint sealing products incorporated into the structure
Why Precast?
Precast concrete offered several advantages for constructing a vertical structure within a constrained urban transit environment.
Dimensional precision:Manufacturing the five sections in a controlled plant environment allowed Deihl Vault & Precast to maintain the tolerances needed for proper alignment when the shaft was assembled.
Reduced on-site construction: Off-site production eliminated the need for extensive field forming, concrete placement and curing. This reduced the amount of labor and construction activity required at the subway project site.
Accelerated construction: Manufacturing could occur simultaneously with site preparation, helping shorten the overall construction schedule. The modular sections also simplified transportation and allowed rapid assembly using a crane.
Watertightness and durability: Protective coatings and joint sealing systems were incorporated to address water infiltration and long-term exposure in a demanding transit environment.
Together, these characteristics made precast concrete a practical alternative to cast-in-place construction for a project requiring precise assembly, efficient installation and long-term structural performance.
Results
The five-section precast elevator shaft was successfully installed as part of the New York City subway accessibility improvement project, which was completed in November 2025.
The sections aligned as designed, and installation proceeded without significant complications. Off-site manufacturing reduced construction activities at the project location, while the modular design allowed the structure to be transported and assembled efficiently.
The completed shaft provides the structural infrastructure needed to support an elevator intended to improve access for subway riders, including people with disabilities, older adults and families with strollers.
The project demonstrates how precast concrete can be applied to complex vertical infrastructure, providing dimensional accuracy, watertight construction and reduced on-site work in challenging urban environments.
- Written by:
- Heather Bremer, NPCA Director of Communications
- Source:
- 137th St EL 520, Built for Purpose Awards submission
- Published:
- October 22, 2026
- Last Update:
- October 21, 2026
