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Queens Plaza (IND Queens Boulevard Line)
Encyclopedia
Queens Plaza is an express station
on the IND Queens Boulevard Line
of the New York City Subway
. Located at the large Queens Plaza interchange, it is served by the E
train at all times, by the R
train at all times except late nights, and by the M
train on weekdays except late nights.
While situated relatively close to the elevated Queensboro Plaza
station ( trains), there is no free transfer between the two stations. With a total of 2,408,523 entries in 2010, or 8,370 per weekday, it is one of the least-used express stations in Queens, signifying its role as a transfer point instead.
to Roosevelt Avenue. It was the first stop in Queens after crossing the East River for six years until 1939 with the opening of 23rd Street – Ely Avenue. Until the opening of the 60th Street Tunnel Connection in 1955 after the unification of the subway, only express trains in Queens ran to Manhattan; local trains were routed onto the IND Crosstown Line
. This service pattern is no longer in use due to the increased popularity of cross-river travel and Crosstown Line trains (G
) now terminate one stop earlier at Court Square.
s and four tracks to facilitate cross-platform interchange
s between local and express trains.
West of the station, the local tracks split to the BMT Broadway Line
(R
train) via the 60th Street Tunnel
to Manhattan
and IND Crosstown Line
to Brooklyn
. The connection to the Crosstown Line is not currently used in revenue service. The express tracks continue on the IND Queens Boulevard Line (E
and M
trains) serving Court Square – 23rd Street at Long Island City
before traveling through the 53rd Street Tunnel
to Manhattan.
East of the station, the tunnel widens to include a fifth track occasionally used for turning trains; such as the Museum Special short-line V
train in December 2007, December 2008, and December 2009. After the fifth track ends, the tunnel widens again to allow the IND 63rd Street Line
ramps to rise and lead trains to merge with either the local or express tracks.
. There are three staircases to the street and an outside passageway to two more staircases at south end near a former booth. The old-style change booth was in place until it was removed in 1998. Two of the outside entrances were redone to match the facade of the DOT
indoor parking lot structure when it was constructed in 1975. Before the renovation, the station had a full length mezzanine (inside and outside of fare control) with three booths. Since then, this area has balconies that allow views of local trains and platforms down below. There are three staircases to each platform from that end. Two staircases in between both fare control areas were removed during the renovation process. The part time booth has two stairs to the street and one to each platform.
Metro station
A metro station or subway station is a railway station for a rapid transit system, often known by names such as "metro", "underground" and "subway". It is often underground or elevated. At crossings of metro lines, they are multi-level....
on the IND Queens Boulevard Line
IND Queens Boulevard Line
The Queens Boulevard Line is a fully underground line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan and Queens, New York City, United States. The line provides crosstown service across Manhattan under 53rd Street and east through Queens to Jamaica...
of the New York City Subway
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
. Located at the large Queens Plaza interchange, it is served by the E
E (New York City Subway service)
The E Eighth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored blue on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs on the IND Eighth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
train at all times, by the R
R (New York City Subway service)
The R Broadway Local is a service of the New York City Subway. It is colored yellow on the route sign and on station signs and the NYC Subway map, as it represents a service provided on the BMT Broadway Line in Manhattan.The R service operates at all times...
train at all times except late nights, and by the M
M (New York City Subway service)
The M Sixth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service of the B Division of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs on the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
train on weekdays except late nights.
While situated relatively close to the elevated Queensboro Plaza
Queensboro Plaza (New York City Subway)
Queensboro Plaza is an elevated New York City Subway station over Queens Plaza in Long Island City, at the east end of the Queensboro Bridge, with Queens Boulevard running east from the plaza. It stands over the south side of the roadway, but formerly spanned the whole plaza...
station ( trains), there is no free transfer between the two stations. With a total of 2,408,523 entries in 2010, or 8,370 per weekday, it is one of the least-used express stations in Queens, signifying its role as a transfer point instead.
History
Opened on August 19, 1933, as part of the initial stretch of the Queens Boulevard Line from 50th Street50th Street (IND Eighth Avenue Line)
50th Street is a local station on the IND Eighth Avenue Line and IND Queens Boulevard Line of the New York City Subway, located at 50th Street and Eighth Avenue in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.- Station layout :...
to Roosevelt Avenue. It was the first stop in Queens after crossing the East River for six years until 1939 with the opening of 23rd Street – Ely Avenue. Until the opening of the 60th Street Tunnel Connection in 1955 after the unification of the subway, only express trains in Queens ran to Manhattan; local trains were routed onto the IND Crosstown Line
IND Crosstown Line
-External links:*...
. This service pattern is no longer in use due to the increased popularity of cross-river travel and Crosstown Line trains (G
G (New York City Subway service)
The G Brooklyn–Queens Crosstown Local is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is the only full-time non-shuttle service that does not enter Manhattan...
) now terminate one stop earlier at Court Square.
Station layout
Like most express stations on the subway, Queens Plaza has two island platformIsland platform
An island platform is a station layout arrangement where a single platform is positioned between two tracks within a railway station, tram stop or transitway interchange...
s and four tracks to facilitate cross-platform interchange
Cross-platform interchange
A cross-platform interchange is a type of interchange between different lines in a metro system. The term originates with the London Underground; such layouts exist in other networks but are not commonly so named...
s between local and express trains.
West of the station, the local tracks split to the BMT Broadway Line
BMT Broadway Line
The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
(R
R (New York City Subway service)
The R Broadway Local is a service of the New York City Subway. It is colored yellow on the route sign and on station signs and the NYC Subway map, as it represents a service provided on the BMT Broadway Line in Manhattan.The R service operates at all times...
train) via the 60th Street Tunnel
60th Street Tunnel
The 60th Street Tunnel carries the trains of the New York City Subway under the East River and Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens.The tunnel was built as part of the Dual Contracts period of New York City subway construction...
to Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
and IND Crosstown Line
IND Crosstown Line
-External links:*...
to Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
. The connection to the Crosstown Line is not currently used in revenue service. The express tracks continue on the IND Queens Boulevard Line (E
E (New York City Subway service)
The E Eighth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored blue on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs on the IND Eighth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
and M
M (New York City Subway service)
The M Sixth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service of the B Division of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs on the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
trains) serving Court Square – 23rd Street at Long Island City
Long Island City, Queens
Long Island City is the westernmost neighborhood of the borough of Queens in New York City. L.I.C. is notable for its rapid and ongoing gentrification, its waterfront parks, and its thriving arts community. L.I.C. has among the highest concentration of art galleries, art institutions, and studio...
before traveling through the 53rd Street Tunnel
53rd Street Tunnel
The 53rd Street Tunnel carries the IND Queens Boulevard Line of the New York City Subway under the East River and Roosevelt Island between Manhattan and Queens, New York City....
to Manhattan.
East of the station, the tunnel widens to include a fifth track occasionally used for turning trains; such as the Museum Special short-line V
V (New York City Subway service)
The V Sixth Avenue Local was a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It was colored orange on route and station signs as well as the NYC Subway map, as it represented a service provided on the IND Sixth Avenue Line through Midtown, Manhattan....
train in December 2007, December 2008, and December 2009. After the fifth track ends, the tunnel widens again to allow the IND 63rd Street Line
IND 63rd Street Line
The IND 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND division of the New York City Subway system. It runs from the IND Sixth Avenue Line at 57th Street east under 63rd Street and the East River through the 63rd Street Tunnel to the IND Queens Boulevard Line in Queens...
ramps to rise and lead trains to merge with either the local or express tracks.
Entrances and exits
The full time booth is near the center of the mezzanineMezzanine (architecture)
In architecture, a mezzanine or entresol is an intermediate floor between main floors of a building, and therefore typically not counted among the overall floors of a building. Often, a mezzanine is low-ceilinged and projects in the form of a balcony. The term is also used for the lowest balcony in...
. There are three staircases to the street and an outside passageway to two more staircases at south end near a former booth. The old-style change booth was in place until it was removed in 1998. Two of the outside entrances were redone to match the facade of the DOT
New York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
indoor parking lot structure when it was constructed in 1975. Before the renovation, the station had a full length mezzanine (inside and outside of fare control) with three booths. Since then, this area has balconies that allow views of local trains and platforms down below. There are three staircases to each platform from that end. Two staircases in between both fare control areas were removed during the renovation process. The part time booth has two stairs to the street and one to each platform.
External links
- Station Reporter — E Train
- Station Reporter — R Train
- Station Reporter — M Train
- The Subway Nut — Queens Plaza Pictures
- MTA's Arts For Transit — Queens Plaza (IND Queens Boulevard Line)
- Queens Plaza entrance from Google Maps Street View
- 41st Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View
- entrance south of Queens Plaza from Google Maps Street View