MTA Inspector General Daniel G. Cort today announced the results of an audit that found long-neglected, deteriorating roofs at New York City Transit subway maintenance facilities hindered operations and posed safety risks to employees. Years of missed warnings, poor communication, and gaps in the capital planning process allowed some of these potentially dangerous conditions to persist far longer than they should have.
NYC Transit’s internal records understated the true extent of roof damage at some of the facilities, with inspections often performed by staff without specialized training, the Office of the MTA Inspector General (OIG) audit found. These assessments — along with communication breakdowns and facility personnel not knowing whom to contact about roofing and structural damage — contributed to delays that kept critical repairs from being performed and prioritized in previous Capital Plans. As explained below, NYC Transit already has addressed some of the conditions detailed in the audit.
“It is unacceptable that these roofs have been allowed to deteriorate so severely that vegetation is growing and major cracks are visible, despite years of requests for critical repairs,” said MTA Inspector General Daniel Cort. “Our audit recommends more comprehensive evaluations of facilities and better reporting of defects, and we commend NYC Transit for taking steps to correct these issues.”
OIG began its audit after observing a severely damaged roof at the East 180th Street Maintenance Shop during a routine outreach meeting in July 2024. The review covered nine facilities, with several found to be in visibly bad condition, including:
- East 180th Street Maintenance Shop: OIG found vegetation growing through holes in the roof, and significant water damage. There were leaks above electrical equipment, allowing water to infiltrate machinery. Part of the shop was condemned. Employees reported that the shop’s roof has been deteriorating for years, and multiple complaints have been made about unsafe working conditions.
- 240th Street Maintenance Shop: OIG observed vegetation growing across the roof and learned that concrete had fallen from the shop’s ceiling due to water intrusion. Parts of the roof are so damaged that employees do not consider them safe to access. Records show repairs to the roof were proposed as early as 1984 and a 2002 survey documented severe damage.
NYC Transit has already begun addressing these conditions. The 2025-2029 Capital Plan includes roof replacement projects for East 180th Street and design work for 240th Street. The agency’s Division of Facilities is also hiring over 100 additional staff — including dedicated roofers — to support ongoing repairs and oversight.
OIG made three recommendations to NYC Transit: establish standardized assessment processes for maintenance facilities, instruct facility personnel on how to report roofing and structural damage, and ensure employee safety hazards are properly identified.
Read the report here.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
