Astoria Boulevard station explained

Astoria Blvd
Former:Astoria Boulevard–Hoyt Avenue
Address:Astoria Boulevard & 31st Street
Astoria, NY
Borough:Queens
Locale:Astoria
Coordinates:40.77°N -73.9182°W
Division:BMT
Line:BMT Astoria Line
Service:Astoria
Connection: New York City Bus: to LaGuardia Airport
MTA Bus: Q19
Columbia Transportation: Queens-Riverdale Commuter Route
Platforms:2 island platforms
cross-platform interchange
Tracks:3 (2 in regular service)
Structure:Elevated
Close Date: (reconstruction)
Accessible:yes

The Astoria Boulevard station (also known as Astoria Boulevard–Hoyt Avenue station) is an express station on the BMT Astoria Line of the New York City Subway. Located on 31st Street between Astoria Boulevard and the Grand Central Parkway (Interstate 278) in Astoria, Queens, the station is served by the N train at all times, as well as by the W train on weekdays.

This station opened in 1917 along with the rest of the Astoria Line as part of the Dual Contracts between New York City and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (BRT).

History

Early history

This station, originally known as Hoyt Avenue, opened on February 1, 1917, along with the rest of the Astoria Line, which was originally part of the IRT, as a spur off the IRT Queensboro Line, now the IRT Flushing Line. Trains ran between Grand Central and Astoria.[1] [2] On July 23, 1917, the Queensboro Bridge spur of the elevated IRT Second Avenue Line opened. At that time, all elevated trains to Queensboro Plaza used the Astoria Line while all subway trains used the Corona Line, though this was later changed with trains alternating between branches.[3] This station started to be served by BMT shuttles using elevated cars on April 8, 1923.[4]

In December 1923, the Queens Chamber of Commerce petitioned the New York State Transit Commission to add the name "Astoria Avenue" to station signage. The petition was approved by the Chief of the Transit Bureau.[5] Later, enclosed waiting rooms were added to the platforms of this station and the Ditmars Boulevard station. They opened on January 17, 1925.[6]

In 1931, preparation began for the construction of the Grand Central Parkway and the approaches to the Triborough Bridge. The station's original sidewalk entrances were located on the northern corners of the intersection of Hoyt Avenue and 31st Street.[7] However since these stairs fell within the condemned area in the way of the future road underpass, they were removed and replaced with stairs on the southern corners.[8] To compensate for this change, unpaid pedestrian overpasses were constructed connecting the station's mezzanine, the relocated stairs, and new stairs to the street under the north side of the station.[9]

The city government took over the BMT's operations on June 1, 1940,[10] [11] and the IRT's operations on June 12, 1940.[12] [13] On October 17, 1949, the Astoria Line became BMT-only as the tracks at Queensboro Plaza were consolidated and the platforms on the Astoria Line were shaved back to allow through BMT trains to operate on it. Service was initially provided by the Brighton Local (BMT 1) weekdays and the Broadway - Fourth Avenue Local (BMT 2) at all times.[14]

The platforms at this station, along with six others on the Astoria Line, were lengthened to 610feet to accommodate ten-car trains in 1950.[15] The project cost $863,000 . Signals on the line had to be modified to take into account the platform extensions.[16]

Notable incidents

The Astoria Boulevard station's mezzanine sits above an access point to a major truck route, Interstate 278. Accordingly, there have been incidents involving vehicles striking the structure. On the evening of March 27, 1991, a truck struck the bottom of the station and severely damaged a transverse girder, part of which supported the center express track. The affected track was taken out of service for two days until repairs were made to the structure.[17]

Several years later, on the morning of May 1, 1998, a backhoe working underneath the station (not performing New York City Transit-related work) struck the mezzanine, ripping out three support beams while damaging four more and creating a large hole in the floor. There were no injuries, but trains bypassed the station at restricted speed. Cleanup work began immediately and by noon, the slow speed restriction was removed. By 3:00 p.m., a temporary wooden floor was installed. Less than eight hours from the time of the first response, the station was back in full service. Permanent repairs were made overnight.[18]

Reconstruction and accessibility improvements

As part of the 2015 - 2019 MTA Capital Program, the station received funding for reconstruction to make it compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.[19] [20] [21] A contract for the reconstruction was awarded in June 2018, and substantial completion was projected for November 2020.[22] In September 2018, work began adding four elevators; two connect the street and mezzanine, and two more connect the mezzanine with the platforms. In order to construct the street elevators, the station mezzanine was demolished and rebuilt. The new mezzanine was raised to reduce strikes by trucks driving underneath.[23] The station was fully closed for nine months on March 17, 2019 to allow the mezzanine to be replaced[24] and was reopened on December 18, 2019, while elevator construction and installation was still underway.[25] [26] On July 24, 2020, the elevators were placed into operation, making the station ADA accessible.[27]

In January 2023, it was announced that to further improve accessibility, wide-aisle fare gates will be installed at this station and at four others across the city.[28] The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to work with Cubic to design a gate that will accommodate both the MetroCard and OMNY payment systems, and allow easier station access for passengers with large items such as strollers, mobility devices, and luggage.[29]

Station layout

P
Platforms
Southbound local← toward Coney Island (30th Avenue)
← toward Whitehall Street–South Ferry (weekdays) (30th Avenue)
Island platform, doors will open on the left
Peak-direction express No regular service
(No service: Queensboro Plaza southbound or Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard northbound)
Island platform, doors will open on the left
Northbound local (weekdays) toward Astoria–Ditmars Boulevard
MMezzanineto entrances/exits, station agent, MetroCard vending machines
GStreet LevelEntrances/Exits
The elevated station has three tracks and two island platforms. The center track is not used in revenue service, but it had been used regularly as recently as 2002.

The station has wooden canopies with transite and wooden mezzanines. The northbound platform's benches are surrounded by low windscreen on three sides. The southbound platform bears the tertiary name of Columbus Square, for a small park containing a statue of Columbus by Angelo Racioppi immediately east of the southeastern stair of the station. It also has an enclosed waiting area.

As part of the MTA Arts & Design program, Jeffrey Gibson created an artwork for the station, titled I Am A Rainbow Too (stylized in all-capital letters), which was installed in 2020.[30] The work includes over 100 laminated glass panels,[31] The artwork includes depictions of the moon, sun, and stars, which are decorated in the colors of a rainbow.[30]

Exits

There are four exits to the station: two to either northern corner of Hoyt Avenue North and 31st Street (via overpass), and two to either southern corner of Hoyt Avenue South and 31st Street.[32] The stair to the northwest corner of Hoyt Avenue North and 31st Street was demolished and reconstructed to run parallel to Hoyt Avenue instead of 31st Street; the stair's original orientation was replaced with an elevator.[33]

From the station's platforms, the Hell Gate Bridge and Hell Gate Line viaduct to the north, the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge to the west, and the Grand Central Parkway/Interstate 278 and Hoyt Avenue underneath are visible. The mezzanine has separate turnstile banks from each side with crossunders from the platform stairs.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: First Train Runs On Elevated Line to Astoria Section. February 1, 1917. Newspapers.com. June 29, 2015. Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
  2. Book: Annual report. 1916-1917.. Interborough Rapid Transit Company. 1917. New York.
  3. News: Subway Link Over Queensboro Bridge. July 22, 1917. The New York Times. December 18, 2011. 31.
  4. News: Additional Subway Service to Borough of Queens. April 8, 1923. The New York Times. December 18, 2011. RE1.
  5. Book: New York State Transit Commission . Proceedings of the Transit Commission, State of New York - Volume 3 . 1923 . 1348.
  6. Book: New York Board of Transportation . Proceedings - Volume 2 . 1925 . 98.
  7. Web site: June 11, 1931 . Tri Boro Bridge building for condemnation Astoria Long Island lot 2nd Avenue and Hoyt Avenue 2929 . February 3, 2023 . NYC Department of Records & Information Services.
  8. Web site: March 9, 1942 . Astoria Boulevard at 33rd Street . February 3, 2023 . NYC Department of Records & Information Services.
  9. Book: New York State Transit Commission . Annual Report . 1937 . 61.
  10. News: 1940-06-02. B.M.T. Lines Pass to City Ownership; $175,000,000 Deal Completed at City Hall Ceremony-- Mayor 'Motorman No. 1'. en-US. The New York Times. 2022-05-14. 0362-4331. https://web.archive.org/web/20210719094900/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/02/archives/bmt-lines-pass-to-city-ownership-175000000-deal-completed-at-city.html. July 19, 2021. live.
  11. News: June 2, 1940 . City Takes Over B. M. T. System; Mayor Skippers Midnight Train . 1 . New York Herald Tribune . .
  12. News: 1940-06-13 . City Transit Unity Is Now a Reality; Title to I.R.T. Lines Passes to Municipality, Ending 19-Year Campaign . en-US . The New York Times . 2022-05-14 . 0362-4331 . January 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220107193115/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/13/archives/city-transit-unity-is-now-a-reality-title-to-irt-lines-passes-to.html . live .
  13. News: June 13, 1940 . Transit Unification Completed As City Takes Over I. R. T. Lines: Systems Come Under Single Control After Efforts Begun in 1921; Mayor Is Jubilant at City Hall Ceremony Recalling 1904 Celebration . 25 . New York Herald Tribune . .
  14. News: Direct Subway Runs to Flushing, Astoria. October 15, 1949. The New York Times. December 18, 2011. 17.
  15. Book: Association, General Contractors. Bulletin. 1950. en.
  16. Book: Transportation, New York (N Y.) Board of. Proceedings .... 1950. en.
  17. Book: Henry . Russell . Inspection Policy and Procedures for Rail Transit Tunnels and Underground Structures . Gilmore . John . Transit Cooperative Research Program . National Academy Press . 1997 . 90. 9780309060172 .
  18. News: Backhoe Cripples El . Martin . Mbugua . James . Rutenberg . . May 2, 1998 . April 11, 2010.
  19. Web site: MTA Capital Program 2015-2019: Renew. Enhance. Expand.. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. October 28, 2015. October 28, 2015. 61.
  20. Web site: Funding For Subway Station ADA-Accessibility Approved. April 26, 2018. www.mta.info. en. April 27, 2018.
  21. Web site: MTA 2017 Preliminary Budget July Financial Plan 2017 –2020 Volume 2. July 2016. mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. August 6, 2016.
  22. Web site: Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting November 2018. November 13, 2018. November 10, 2018. 90. Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  23. Web site: Griffin . Allie . December 19, 2019 . Astoria Boulevard Station Reopens Amid Continuing Work . February 3, 2023 . Astoria Post.
  24. Web site: MTA New York City Transit to Bring Elevators to Astoria Blvd Station. April 17, 2018. www.mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. en. April 18, 2018. January 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190123113638/http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-new-york-city-transit-bring-elevators-astoria-blvd-station. dead.
  25. Web site: Astoria Boulevard subway station in Queens reopens after 9-month renovation . ABC7 New York . December 19, 2019 . December 20, 2019.
  26. Web site: Kaufman . Maya . Astoria Boulevard N/W Subway Station Reopens . Astoria-Long Island City, NY Patch . December 19, 2019 . December 20, 2019.
  27. Web site: Griffin. Allie. 2020-07-24. New Elevators at the Astoria Boulevard Station Open. 2020-07-24. Astoria Post. en-US.
  28. Web site: January 2023 . Extending Transit's Reach: MTA's Strategic Action Plan to Promote Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Micromobility Access to MTA Facilities . February 4, 2023 . Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  29. Web site: January 29, 2021 . Accessible Wide Fare Gates . February 4, 2023 . Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
  30. Web site: I AM A RAINBOW TOO . MTA . May 31, 2024.
  31. Web site: Byrnes . Mark . Going Deep on the Modern Art of the New York City Subway . Bloomberg.com . May 3, 2024 . May 31, 2024.
  32. Web site: MTA Neighborhood Maps: Astoria. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 27, 2015. 2015.
  33. Web site: Astoria Blvd Station Stair Closure for ADA Elevator – OANA . OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association . November 3, 2018 . November 4, 2018.