The MTA announced that a $61 million makeover at the Main Street subway station in Flushing is underway to improve overcrowding and congestion on the platform and street-level stairs and other upgrades to improve the passenger experience at one of the city’s busiest transit hubs.
The construction of eight new staircases will better accommodate both incoming and outgoing passengers west of Main Street while improving service for those using all stairs throughout the station.
“Flushing-Main St. Station is one of the top 10 busiest stations in our entire subway system, and it is time its infrastructure supported that reality,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “Soon our passengers will be able to travel through this station more easily and comfortably.”
Four new street to mezzanine stairs will be installed in addition to four new mezzanine to platform stairs. The new street to mezzanine stairs will be located on the north and south corners of Main Street and to the west of Main Street along both the north and south sides of Roosevelt Avenue.
Four existing street stairs will be rehabilitated for ADA compliance and four existing platform stairs will be reoriented, according to the MTA. The mezzanine will be expanded and two new fare control areas with six new turnstiles will be constructed. The existing CCTV camera system will be upgraded, and wayfinding signs within the station will be improved.
The $61 million price tag for the project includes the expense of relocating existing utilities.
“These improvements will greatly enhance the customer experience traveling in one of New York’s most vibrant neighborhoods,” MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said. “These eight new staircases will alleviate overcrowding on the platform and street level and ensure passengers can better move through the station.”
Construction will only occur within the station during off-peak hours. Full access to a minimum of four street-level stairwells will be maintained in the mezzanine areas. Access to the four stairs that serve the northbound and southbound platforms from the mezzanine area will also be maintained at all times. The MTA is working with city agencies and local stakeholders to mitigate impacts on the local community. Signs reminding pedestrians that businesses remain open will be posted.
“Customers are returning to the subway system in greater numbers as the work continues to improve the passenger experience,” NYC Transit President Richard Davey said. “These eight new staircases will alleviate overcrowding on the platform and street level and ensure passengers can better move through the station.”
Members of the public wishing to express concerns and raise issues will be able to contact a 24/7 construction hotline at 844-508-2636 for the duration of the project which is expected to be substantially complete by the end of October 2023.
Meanwhile, the MTA announced that bus stops that serve the Q48 and Q50 along Main Street and Roosevelt Avenue will be temporarily relocated to accommodate street stairway construction through March 2023. Stops will be relocated to Main Street and 39th Avenue in front of GNC.
