Valley Stream LIRR riders may notice a major change the next time they pass through the station. Newly unveiled upgrades are making the stop more welcoming and more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Jennifer Smith, who uses the Valley Stream station to commute to work and often brings her bike, says the improvements are a big relief. Before the upgrades, she avoided the old elevator altogether.

“I would use the stairs even though I can’t lift very well,” Smith said. “The elevator would get stuck, and one time I actually got stuck in it. After that, I said, ‘I’m not doing that again.’”

As part of a series of renovations, the station now features a brand-new elevator. Smith says it is larger and far more reliable than the old one.

“The elevator was easier to get on, definitely," she said.

The improvements go far beyond the elevator. The project includes repairs to aging infrastructure and columns, a new escalator, updated signage and improvements to parking spaces and sidewalks.

According to the MTA, all of these upgrades are designed to make the station more accessible for everyone.

“People think about accessibility as just an elevator, but here we see so much more,” said Quemuel Arroyo, the MTA’s chief accessibility officer. “We see two-way communication on elevators, modern elevators and replaced stairs. It’s all under the umbrella of access.”

Smith says the changes will make a real difference for many riders.

“I have many friends who are handicapped, and it is hard to get on the trains,” she said. “The improvements are a plus in that direction.”

The project was funded through the MTA’s capital plan and is part of a broader effort to modernize stations across Long Island. Officials say eight more LIRR stations will receive similar upgrades.

“It’s full steam ahead,” said Rob Free, president of the Long Island Rail Road. “We’re going to make repairs and beautify these stations.”

Construction on the station began in early 2024 and wrapped up a few days ago.