Nov. 28, 2023 By Rachel Butler
Flushing Council Member Sandra Ung joined representatives from the MTA to celebrate the completion of upgrades at the Flushing-Main Street subway station on Nov. 22.
The improvements, which took nearly two years to complete, consisted of the replacement of eight staircases and installation of eight new ones, the addition of four new points of entry to the station and the creation of two new fare control areas.
Photo by Marc A. Hermann/MTA
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said that the expansion was one of the largest modernization projects undertaken by the MTA.
“Installing new staircases, creating new entries and expanding the mezzanine improves the passenger flow and provides a safer, more comfortable commute,” Lieber said. “This project – delivered on time and under budget — shows the MTA’s commitment to rebuilding a system to better serve today and tomorrow’s ridership.”
Photo by Marc A. Hermann/MTA
Photo by Marc A. Hermann/MTA
Ung said that the new entrance stairways that have been installed will help to alleviate congestion and make the commute smoother for the thousands of people who pass through the station on a regular basis.
“I want to thank the MTA for undertaking this project and doing so with minimal disruptions to subway service during the nearly two years it took to see it to completion,” Ung added.
Construction at the station began in July 2022 and was completed approximately $9 million under budget, with a $48 million price tag.
Photo by Marc A. Hermann/MTA
Other improvements at the station include repair work such as steel rehabilitation and waterproofing to ensure the integrity of the station’s infrastructure for years to come.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said that the results of this project will improve customer circulation at the station and lead to a positive experience for subway riders.
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards speaks at a press conference announcing the opening of new entrances to the Flushing-Main Street subway station on the 7 line on Wednesday, Nov 22, 2023. Photo by Marc A. Hermann/MTA
The Flushing-Main Street subway station serves about 44,000 people on an average weekday and is the 11th busiest subway station out of the 472 stations across New York City, according to the MTA.