The MTA announced on Sunday that transit crews have completed extensive functional and aesthetic upgrades at two of the busiest subway stations in Southeast Queens.
The work at the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Av-JFK that serves the E, J, and Z lines and the Jamaica-Van Wyck stations on the E line was part of NYC Transit’s “Re-NEW-vated” program, which utilizes planned service outages to perform station-wide repairs, enhancements, and deep cleaning to provide commuters with brighter and better station environments.
“New York City Transit is working hard to ensure customers’ journeys are pleasant and comfortable from the moment they enter a station with brighter lights, fresh coats of paint, smoother platforms and more,” NYC Transit President Richard Davey said. “Re-NEW-vation projects are essential to delivering on our promise of bringing faster, cleaner, safer service to riders across the transit system and now in Southeast Queens, they can see that effort for themselves.”
At Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Av-JFK Airport station, crews scraped, primed, and painted over 10,000 square feet of the station and more than 150 lights were converted to LEDs, upgrading the entire station with clearer and more energy-efficient lights that brighten darkened areas. Additionally, the subway staircase globes were replaced, concrete tripping hazards were repaired along the platforms, stairways were inspected and repaired where needed, and outdated signage was removed.
At Jamaica-Van Wyck station, workers carried out a specialized cleaning operation, which included scrubbing platforms clean of outdated social distancing signage, washing and removing graffiti from track and station walls, and eliminating calcium deposits and water stains from the platforms.
“As a commuter myself, I’m thrilled about the completion of the renovations at Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Jamaica-Van Wyck stations,” Council Member Nantasha Williams said. “These enhancements will not only elevate the aesthetic appeal but also improve functionality, making my daily commute smoother and more enjoyable.”
Workers at Jamaica-Van Wyck station also made extensive repairs to floor tiles alleviating tripping hazards. Ceilings, station booths, and other surfaces were scraped, primed and painted. Outdated signage including legacy bus and subway maps were removed, and new Americans with Disabilities Act signage was updated, new LED lights were installed, and platform benches were sanded and restrained.
“Our city’s subway stations should be inviting and welcoming places that encourage New Yorkers to take mass transit,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said. “The much-needed re-NEW-vation work recently completed at the Jamaica-Van Wyck and Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Av-JFK Airport stations has made them much more pleasant places for riders to visit.”
Community Board 9 District Manager James McClelland applauded the MTA for work done at one of the stations.
“The Jamaica-Van Wyck station area was a quality of life concern for elected officials, Jamaica Hospital and residents for several years,” McClellan said. “We are extremely grateful to the MTA for the extensive station renovation which has ameliorated many of our issues.”
State Senator Joseph Addabbbo said the upgrades at both stations will enhance the commuter experience. “The completion of these functional and aesthetic improvements under the Re-NEW-vation program exemplified the commitment to providing brighter, safer, and more efficient transit environments for the residents and visitors of New York City.”
Council Member Lynn Schulman called the announcement fantastic news. “These stations are vital to so many people, and they deserve a pleasant experience,” Schulman said. “With deep cleaning and improvements to lighting and signage, the re-NEW-vation work exemplifies the importance of providing New Yorkers with a safer, and more welcoming environment for all travelers.”
