Vesey Street Escalator Grinding Forward Updated February 2, 2010 7:29am

The Vesey Street escalator is close to being operational after months of being broken. (DNAinfo/ Josh Williams)

By Josh Williams

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — The Vesey Street bridge escalator is showing signs that it could soon be operational after months of being shut down while the city waited for a broken chain to be mended in Germany.

Over the weekend, workers installed the broken chain, which apparently could not be made on American soil, and posted signs posted stating that the escalator was undergoing safety testing.

“NOT OPEN FOR PUBLIC USE. TESTING PURPOSES ONLY” the sign read. The closed off stairs were observed spinning upward towards the bridge that allows pedestrians to cross Vesey Street.

The escalator has not been operational since September, leaving downtown commuters and residents with an extra workout on their way to and from work.