NYCT reopens Astoria Line stations following major renovations
Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
MTA signal upgrades and track work is about to take place.
Marc A. Hermann
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) resumed service at its 30 Av and 36 Av stations on the Astoria Line following the completion of on-time repairs.
MTA said the improvements restored and modernized the stations, which had originally opened in 1917.
“This is a great example of an innovative program that delivers a far better customer experience for our riders,” said MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota. “While we work to improve train service with the Subway Action Plan and Fast Forward Plan, it’s critical we also continue to improve our station environments.”
NYCT President Andy Byford was present at the reopening to welcome customers and employees at the stations, as well.
“These stations were in desperate need of repairs to their deteriorating structures, but now they look and feel brand new, which is amazing for two above-ground structures that had been in daily continuous use for more than 100 years,” Byford said. “I thank our customers and the entire Astoria community for their patience as we made these critical repairs.”
The work at 30 Av and 36 Av entailed repairs to deteriorated concrete and steel structures, and rehabilitated entrances including staircases, railings and canopies; improvements and repairs to mezzanines and platforms; waterproofing; security cameras, glass barriers and railings for increased light and transparency; improved signage for easier navigation, including digital, real-time service information; and glass and wire mesh platform windscreens for improved lighting and safety.
Crews also added a new staircase for exiting from the Astoria-bound platform at the 30 Av station to the street-level intersection of 30th Avenue and Newtown Avenue.
MTA said the agency is repairing or upgrading all stations on the Astoria nw Line. The 30 Av and 36 Av closed for eight months during the repairs, and the Broadway and 39 Av stations will close for up to seven months beginning July 2.
Improvements and repairs at the Ditmars Blvd station also began in April, with the station remaining open to service throughout the project, which is scheduled for completion by June 2019.
At the Astoria Blvd station, the entire station mezzanine is set for demolition and will be rebuilt to accommodate the installation of four new elevators, MTA said. The redesigned mezzanine is intended to provide additional vertical clearance from the street below.
MTA said NYCT staff conducted extensive community outreach prior to and throughout the repairs at 30 Av and 36 Av, meeting with local community boards and elected officials and collaborating with local businesses to develop a marketing campaign.
The MTA Board awarded the $150 million contract in April 2017 to Skanska with AECOM for work at 30 Av, 36 Av, Broadway and 39 Av. The four stations originally opened for service in July 1917.
