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For photos please see www nycsubway.org

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PARSONS/ARCHER

JAMAICA CENTER

 

Parsons/Archer Jamaica Center Opened 12/11/1988 this station sits at the central hub of Downtown Jamaica and is the terminus of both E and J/Z trains. The station was not intended to be a terminal, as a late 1960’s MTA master plan show the lines were planned to extend down Merrick Blvd, towards either Springfield Gardens or JFK Airport. The plans were cut short and construction was halted, during the 70’s fiscal crisis. Noting the overburdened 169th Street/Hillside Ave station, which this station is inadequate to accommodate crowds through narrow staircases, the first 2 MTA Capital Programs helped put Jamaica Center and 2 other stations on the subway map. It also ensured the J line’s presence into the 21st Century, as it was being cut back from 168th Street to 121st Street on 2 separate occasions, the first due to a fire that gutted part of the 168th Street, the other to allow a new track connection to take place. The current terminal station has 2 levels and is fully ADA accessible. The upper level is for E trains, while the lower level is for J/Z trains. Neither level has track connections from one level to another, although it is possible to run a train from one level, through Manhattan, and come back to Jamaica Center on the other level. Each level is 2 tracks and 2 island platforms/ F/T side has 1 wide set of street stairs, 2 escalators, one on each side on Archer Ave, an elevator, newsstand, 1 escalator and stair to upper level, 2 escalators directly to lower level from mezzanine, and one elevator from mezzanine to both platform levels. The elevator and south escalator leads to an outdoor intermodal bus terminal which serves several NYCT bus routes to most of southeastern Queens and one LI Bus line (Route N4) to Freeport, Long Island. Many other bus routes from various companies are a short walk away from this station. The P/T side at 153rd Street has 3 street stairs, one escalator to the same bus terminal, 1 set of escalators to each level from the mezzanine area, and 1 staircase from upper to lower level.

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SUTPHIN /ARCHER

JFK

 

Sutphin/ Archer/JFK ( formerly Sutphin Blvd/Archer Ave, Archer Ave at Sutphin Blvd) Opened 12/11/1988: This station has the same bi-level setup as Jamaica Center (2 tracks on each island platform level), and is an important feeder connection to the LIRR’s Jamaica Hub station, Airtrain, as well as numerous local bus routes in the area. Though the station is young, it already is in dire need of a little bit of TLC. The platforms are extra wide on the upper level. Station has 4 street stairs, 1 stair/1 pair of escalators fro mezzanine to upper level, 2 stairs/2 escalators from upper to lower levels. Newest exits are 2 escalators leading to the LIRR and Airtrain stations on the southeastern end of the circular mezzanine.

We now rise upward and curve unto Jamaica Avenue. To the right are the LIRR Main Line Tracks to Penn Station. This is the newest section of the BMT and replaces the old Jamaica El from north of 121st Street to 168th Street which was demolished. For a discussion of these stations please see the JJ Line Page.

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121st  STREET

 

 

121st Street (on Jamaica Avenue at 121st Street) opened 12/12/1916 and has two tracks and two wall platforms. The north exit leads to 123rd street and is open via high exit on the northbound side only. The north Mezzanine is closed and has a ghost booth. The south exit has a crossunder and leads to 121st street.

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111th  STREET

 

111th Street (on Jamaica Avenue at 111th Street) opened 6/11/1917 and has three tracks and two wall platforms. The center track is used for storage and was used to turn trains while the El was being torn down north of 121st and the Archer Avenue subway line was being built. The north exit is sealed and is used for storage and offices. It probably had a crossunder and a ghost booth. The South exit leads to 111th street and has a crossunder.

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104th  STREET

WASHINGTON SQUARE

 

104th Street (on Jamaica Avenue at 104th Street) opened 6/11/1917 and has two tracks and two wall platforms It was formerly known as 102nd-104th Street but renamed when the south exit to 102nd street was sealed. It probably had a crossunder but no formal proof is available. The north exit has a crossunder and leads to 104th street. This station has an artwork entitled "Five Points of Observation and was installed in 1990 to 1993. It was designed by Kathleen McCarthy and affords a view of the street from the platforms and resembles a face when seen from the street

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WOODHAVEN BOULEVARD

 

 

Woodhaven Boulevard (on Jamaica Avenue at Woodhaven Boulevard) opened 6/11/1917 and has two tracks and two wall platforms. This station has an artwork entitled "Five Points of Observation and was installed in 1990 to 1993. It was designed by Kathleen McCarthy and affords a view of the street from the platforms and resembles a face when seen from the street. The north exit leads to 95th street and has a crossunder and a ghost booth and the south exit with a crossunder leads to Woodhaven Blvd.

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85th  STREET

FOREST PARKWAY

 

85th Street Forest Parkway (on Jamaica Avenue at Forest Parkway) opened 6/11/1917 and has two tracks and two wall platforms. This station has an artwork entitled "Five Points of Observation and was installed in 1990 to 1993. It was designed by Kathleen McCarthy and affords a view of the street from the platforms and resembles a face when seen from the street. The north exit, which is open leads to 85th street and has a crossunder. The south exit, if it exited is closed. The dual name has recently been restored to station signage.

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75th  STREET

ELDERTS LANE

 

75th Street Elderts Lane (on Jamaica Avenue at Elderts Lane) opened 6/11/1917 and has two tracks and two wall platforms. The dual name has recently been restored to station signage. The north exit leads to 75th street and has a crossunder. The south exit, if it existed, is sealed. The station is in two Boroughs—the north end is in queens and the south end is in Brooklyn. This station has an artwork entitled "Five Points of Observation and was installed in 1990 to 1993. It was designed by Kathleen McCarthy and affords a view of the street from the platforms and resembles a face when seen from the street.

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CYPRESS HILLS

 

Cypress Hills (on Jamaica Avenue at Hemlock Street, Autumn Avenue and Crescent Street) opened 6/11/1917 and has two tracks and two wall platforms. This station has an artwork entitled "Five Points of Observation and was installed in 1990 to 1993. It was designed by Kathleen McCarthy and affords a view of the street from the platforms and resembles a face when seen from the street. Northbound has a high exit at the north end. The southbound north exit has been removed, The Mezzanine is closed and probably had a crossunder.. The South exit, which leads to Hemlock Street, Autumn Avenue and Crescent Street, has a crossunder. Leaving here we enter the oldest section of the system dating to the 1890s and a highlight of the line- The S Curve unto Crescent Street.

 

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CYPRESS HILLS TERMINAL

Cypress Hills Terminal (on Crescent Street South of Jamaica Avenue) was the former end of the line before the Jamaica Avenues line was opened. It had an island platform and stub ended past the station. All that remains is the girders once holding the platform and a short stub near the cemetery. Most of the crescent street section has three tracks with the center track used to short turn trains from either end. The curve end near Crescent Street Station has been eased. A careful examination of the structure shows the original track locations. We are now over Fulton Street in Brooklyn. According to various sources the line had wall platforms originally. All 5 are planned for renovations starting this fall. The contractor is Ahern Painting Company.

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CRESCENT  STREET

 

Crescent Street (on Fulton Street at Crescent Street) opened 6/12/1893 and has two tracks and an island platform. The mezzanine is a platform level at the North end. The Mezzanine has a wood floor and walls and is quite small. The canopy is short and has arched supports. Between here and the next station a careful examination reveals a turn off for the former Chestnut Street Incline which lead to the Long Island Rail Road. It was abandoned a long time ago because federal regulation prohibited allowances of a commuter railroad (LIRR) to share tracks with a subway or elevated line company.

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NORWOOD

 

 

Norwood Avenue (On Fulton Street at Norwood Avenue) opened 6/12/1893 and has two tracks and an island platform The Mezzanine is at platform level at the north end The Mezzanine has a wood floor and walls and is quite small. The canopy is short and has arched supports

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CLEVELAND  STREET

 

 

Cleveland Street (on Fulton Street at Cleveland Street)) opened 6/12/1893 and has two tracks and an island platform The Mezzanine is at platform level at the south end The Mezzanine has a wood floor and walls and is quite small. The canopy is short and has arched supports The Mezzanine has a wood floor and walls and is quite small. The canopy is short and has arched supports. The Mezzanine has a wood floor and walls and is quite small. The canopy is short and has arched supports

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VAN SICLEN AVENUE

 

 

Van Siclen Avenue (on Fulton Street at Van Siclen Avenue) opened 6/12/1893 and has two tracks and an island platform. The canopy is short and has squared off, flat roofline. There is a center Mezzanine under the tracks with wood floor and walls. This mezzanine is actually to the geographic south of the Jamaica bound track

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ALABAMA AVENUE

 

 

Alabama Avenue (On Fulton Street at Alabama Avenue) opened 2/2/1885 and has two tracks and an island platform. To the geographic north is a view of the East New York Bus depot and complex. The Mezzanine under the platform is metal and has a wood floor. The station has flat roof canopy which source suggest supported a planned express track. All that remains or was built is a track which rises East (system North) of Broadway Junction and ends at the south end of this station. Joe Cunningham states that the BRT had poor records and no hard evidence is known to him. Leaving here is a maze of tracks leading to yards and we enter our next station. He thinks the next stop would have been Woodhaven Blvd. The line is now located over Broadway.

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BROADWAY JUNCTION

 

Broadway Junction (Entrance at Van Sinderen Avenue between Fulton Street and Eastern Parkway) opened 9/9/1885 as Eastern Parkway and is discussed on the Complexes Page

The following stations up to and including Hewes Street were all renovated by M.A. Angeliades.

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CHAUNCEY  STREET

 

Chauncey Street (on Broadway at Rockaway Avenue) opened 9/4/1885 and has three tracks and two wall platforms. The north exit leads to Marion and Chauncey Streets and is closed except as emergency exit. The south exit has a crossunder, metal Mezzanine and leads to Rockaway Avenue and Broadway. A new art glass installation in this renovated station and features scenes of neighborhood life.

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HALSEY  STREET

 

 

Halsey Street (on Broadway at Halsey Street) opened 9/4/1885 and has 3 tracks and two wall platforms. North exit leads to Halsey with a crossunder while the south exit leads to Jefferson Street. No art glass is present as of 8/29/04 although plywood panels could be where it will be placed.

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GATES AVENUE

 

 

Gates Avenue (on Broadway at Quincy Street) opened 9/4/1885 and has three tracks and two wall platforms. The north exit leads to Howard Avenue is an emergency exit only. The south exit leads to Quincy Street and Broadway and has a crossunder. Art glass is a subway (J train) theme.

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KOSCIUSZKO  STREET

 

 

Kosciuszko Street (on Broadway at) opened 9/4/1885 and has three tracks and two wall platforms. The north exit has a crossunder and leads to Kosciuszko Street and has a crossunder. The south exit is an emergency exit and leads to DeKalb Avenue. Art glass is a floral theme.

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MYRTLE AVENUE

 

Myrtle Avenue (on Broadway at Myrtle Avenue) opened 9/16/1888 for the J and has three tracks and two island platforms. There is a crossunder at the center along with one stairway on the southbound platform which is for access to the tower and once accessed the upper level platform which served the MJ Train which used to run further south on Myrtle Avenue to Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn. The line in even earlier times ran over the Brooklyn Bridge to Park Row (City Hall Park) in Manhattan. For further info on the torn down M Sections see www.nycsubway.org and old M Train The M now runs with the J train from Here to Manhattan and ends on the middle track late nights, weekends and holidays. Art glass here is entitled "Jamaica under the El" by Verna Hart and was installed in 1999. This station is renovated. Across the mezzanine area and underneath the Manhattan bound track is another mezzanine with ghost  booth and one staircase to the Northeast corner on Broadway by Myrtle Avenue. This area was abandoned and later removed during the renovation, however you can see this abandoned exit in the film "Ghost"(1990 where Patrick Swayze exits Myrtle Avenue station via this abandoned staircase.

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FLUSHING AVENUE

 

Flushing Avenue (on Broadway at Flushing Avenue) opened 9/16/1888 and has three tracks and two wall platforms. The north exit leads to Marcus Garvey Blvd and is an emergency exit. The south exit has full ADA and leads to Flushing Avenue. The elevators are cantilevered over the sides of the structure. There is no art glass as of this writing but plywood panels suggest where art glass might be installed. ADA is present since the station is near Woodhull Hospital. Sections of windscreen have mesh panels to allow a view of the streets.

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LORIMER  STREET

 

 

Lorimer Street (on Broadway at Lorimer Street) opened 9/16/1888 and has three tracks and two wall platforms. The north exit has been reopened (with no crossunder) to Wallabout Street while the south exit leads to Lorimer Street with a crossunder. The art glass features a floral and vines theme. Some sections of the windscreen features mesh to allow a view of the streets below.

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HEWES  STREET

 

 

Hewes Street (on Broadway at Hooper Street) opened 9/16/1888 and has three tracks and two wall platforms. The north exits leads to Hewes Street and is an emergency exit. The south exit leads to Hooper Street and has a crossunder. The art glass features random geometric shapes and is based on shapes found in Dress patterns. It is entitled El in 16 notes and is by Mara Held. This station has 16 sections of art. .

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MARCY AVENUE

 

 

Marcy Avenue (on Broadway at Marcy Avenue) opened9/16/1888 and has three tracks and two wall platforms is in the final stages of renovation which extended the platform level station houses over the street, added south exits on the northbound platform and added HEETs to the southbound south exit. The station is now full ADA. Leaving this station we see a short section of track continuing straight which once lead to the Broadway ferry Spur. The line now runs over the Williamsburg Bridge via a separate bridge between the two roadway bridges. Sources with the NYC DOT indicate that this bridge is really three bridges in one: The Brooklyn bound bridge (4 lanes), the subway structure, and the Manhattan bound bridge (4 lanes). The bridge has an ADA walkway over the subway tracks until the Anchorages when it divides into two walkways to Brooklyn. The subway tracks descend into the subway and we enter our next station. For a discussion of the spur see the JJ page

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ESSEX  STREET

 

 

Essex Street opened 7/4/1908 and is being renovated by Cab Associates and is discussed on the complexes page

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BOWERY

 

Bowery opened on 3/14/1913 and has two island platforms and four tracks but has been reconfigured to use only the southbound island and pair of tracks. As of 10/04 the reconfiguration is in use and the northbound island is now sealed and abandoned.

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CANAL  STREET

 

 

Canal Street opened on 3/14/1913and is discussed on the Complexes Page

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CHAMBERS  STREET

 

 

Chambers Street opened on 3/14/1913 and is discussed on the Complexes Page. This is the end of the M line during mid day hours Monday to Friday.

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FULTON  STREET

 

 

Fulton Street on the J opened on 3/14/1913 and is discussed on the Complexes page

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BROAD  STREET

 

 

Broad Street opened on 11/26/1931 and has been renovated and has two wall platforms and two tracks with a crossover at the north end leading to Broad and Wall Streets. It has vent chambers. An exit to Broad Street, Beaver Street and Exchange place is open on the southbound platform only with the northbound exit here being closed. A Far south exit has been closed. The tracks continue past the station and lead into the tunnel from Whitehall Street to Brooklyn during rush hours the M uses this section to connect to the D Line. The south end has two more fare control areas, one for each platform. The southbound side has a ghost booth and two street stairways and northbound has a booth open during the PM rush hour. Both sides offer HEET access from 7AM to 8:45PM.

For a discussion of the old J line past 121st street please see the JJ train Page.

Rating: 5 stars due to renovated stations, Williamsburg Bridge, and the S curve plus the curve back into the subway.

Last update 9/26/2008

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