STV Selected to Design NYC Substation Upgrades
MTA Construction & Development picked STV as general engineering consultant for modernizing 22 New York City power substations.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Utilities
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MTA Construction & Development has selected STV as general engineering consultant for the design of improvements to 22 power substations across New York City. The work covers substations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
Why it matters
Much of the existing substation equipment is beyond its useful life, making modernization essential to the city's power network. Upgrades are intended to reduce unplanned outages and shorten recovery times during incidents.
The design scope covers 22 power substations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Construction timelines and total project cost were not disclosed in the selection announcement.
The players
MTA Construction & Development
The construction arm of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, responsible for capital projects supporting New York City's transit system.
STV
A multidisciplinary engineering and architecture firm that provides consulting services for infrastructure projects.
The details
STV will provide general engineering consultant services for the design phase, overseeing scope development and program management. The scope includes replacing outdated switchgear, rectifiers, transformers and control systems, along with energy-efficiency and resiliency upgrades.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: MTA Construction & Development announced the selection of STV.
Industry Landscape
The substation upgrades extend the MTA's effort to replace aging traction power equipment that feeds the electrified subway network. The design scope's proposed reversible traction power systems would capture regenerative braking energy from trains.
Riders on the subway may experience fewer service disruptions over time as outdated power equipment is replaced. The design phase itself does not directly change fares or service schedules for New Yorkers.
The takeaway
Aging urban power infrastructure is a costly but necessary investment, and the MTA's move to add AI-enabled monitoring and energy recovery signals a shift toward more proactive maintenance. Readers should watch for construction schedules as design work advances.
Further reading
Explore more on utilities coverage across New York City's infrastructure projects.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RailPrime.
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