Briefs

Inspection finds many subway emergency exits are dark and hazardous

December 19, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CITYWIDE — MANY SUBWAY EMERGENCY EXITS are in a serious state of disrepair, potentially jeopardizing the safety of passengers, first responders and MTA workers, according to a report issued Thursday by MTA Inspector General Daniel G. Cort. Auditors from the Office of the Inspector General encountered tripping hazards, obstructions, inadequate or nonexistent lighting, exposed wiring, loose or broken handrails and corrosion in underground tunnels, tubes and elevated tracks. Cort said in a statement that he personally observed some of these conditions, “And I am deeply concerned.” The audit found that more than half of emergency stairwells had serious defects, including one hatch failing to open from the inside. In some instances, inspectors had to navigate by flashlight in unlighted stairwells.

The report was released after the Dec. 11 emergency evacuation of thousands of subway riders in Downtown Brooklyn. Video showed firefighters pulling riders out of subway grates onto the sidewalk for over three hours.