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A renewed Astoria Line

The Astoria N/W line went into service more than 100 years ago. In October 2017 we began intense and extensive work on the stations, track, and supporting infrastructure to ensure another 100 years of service for Astoria.
Updated Aug 7, 2024

Details

  • Location
    Queens
  • Type
    Accessibility, Infrastructure, Rehabilitation, Track
  • Status
    Complete

Area Map

Timeline

Completed
  • The majority of the work was completed in 2021
From the station looking out, a photo of the walkway and the mezzanine-to-street elevator at Astoria Blvd station
From inside the cab of the platform elevator, a photo of the platform and newly installed glass artwork at Astoria Blvd station.

Astoria Blvd station is open

The Astoria Blvd station serves as a vital transit hub. It connects subway riders with M60 Select Bus Service to LaGuardia Airport and Q19 local bus service. The station was in dire need of critical repairs after 102 years of service.

Service and Traffic Impacts

Service

There are no service changes at this time. If that changes, we will share that information here, so check for updates regularly.

Traffic

Vehicular traffic on 31st St and Hoyt Ave South will be impacted by work on the station. During the project's normal work hours, provided below, the work site will expand into the street. However, we will maintain at least four travel lanes on Hoyt Ave North, five travel lanes on Hoyt Ave South, and one lane of traffic in each direction on 31st St. (A map of the detours can be found in the presentation linked below.) During these closures, Hoyt Ave North will remain open.

Work we've done since March

  • Four new elevators
  • Built a new mezzanine
  • Strengthened column foundations
  • Built four new platform staircases
  • Built four new street staircases
  • Rehabilitated platforms
  • Installed new LED lighting
  • Built new platform canopy roofs
  • Elevated walkways
  • New benches
  • Platform stair enclosures

What we're still working on

  • Street work related to nearby bus stops

Work we've completed

Broadway, 39 Av-Dutch Kills, 36 Av and 30 Av stations

At Broadway, 39 Av-Dutch Kills, 36 Av and 30 Av, we restored and modernized four 102-year-old stations, which were in desperate need of structural repairs. Improvements included:

  • Repairs to deteriorated concrete and steel structures
  • Rehabilitation of station entrances, including staircases, railings and canopies
  • Rehabilitated mezzanines and platforms
  • Installation of security cameras, glass barriers and railings, and glass and wire mesh platform windscreens to increase light and safety
  • Enhanced signage, including digital screens and real-time service information, to help make travel easier
  • Replacement of deteriorating windowless wooden panels with laminated glass panels featuring new artwork to bring natural light into previously dark waiting areas on the mezzanines
  • Improvements in circulation and safety at 30 Av, with the addition of a new staircase providing an exit from the Astoria-bound platform to the street
  • Construction of two brand new staircases at Broadway to improve safety and circulation: an additional street entry staircase at the northeast corner of the intersection and an exit-only staircase from the Astoria-bound platform directly to the street
  • Renamed 39 Av station to 39 Av-Dutch Kills to better reflect the neighborhood surrounding the station

For before and after photos of the 36 Av and 30 Av stations, and former Transit President Andy Byford's visit to the stations and nearby businesses, click here.

For photos of the new Broadway station, click here. For photos of the new 39 Av-Dutch Kills station, click here.

Ditmars Blvd Station

Significant structural repairs and upgrades are underway at Ditmars Blvd. Fortunately, we were able to schedule the work to keep the station open for customers throughout construction. The work includes:

  • Repaired deteriorated concrete and steel structures
  • Rehabilitated entrances, including staircases, railings and canopies
  • Repaired and rebuilding the station mezzanine
  • Added a new PA system to make communication and travel easier

Track improvements

  • In addition to extensive station work, MTA NYCT has replaced tracks and switches along the Astoria line to improve the reliability of the track and signal equipment.
  • Since 2017, we have replaced 2,496 feet to track in two sections: between Ditmars Blvd and Astoria Blvd, and between 39 Av-Dutch Kills and Queensboro Plaza.
  • We have also renewed ten track switches between Queensboro Plaza and Ditmars Blvd to ensure trains can safely and reliably switch between different tracks.
  • These track repairs have helped us to make travel safer and to comply with ADA regulations, by narrowing the gaps between the platforms and trains at stations.
  • In late winter and spring of 2019, we replaced approximately 4,953 feet of track on the northbound side between 36 Av and 30 Av. This section of track is more than 35 years old and has exceeded its useful life.
  • This extensive track work will increase reliability and ensure that our new stations have narrower gaps between the platform and trains that enhance customer safety and comply with ADA standards.