Astoria Boulevard (BMT Astoria Line)

Astoria Boulevard (BMT Astoria Line)

Astoria Boulevard or Astoria Boulevard – Hoyt Avenue is an express station on the BMT Astoria Line, it is served by the N train at all times, and by additional Q train on weekdays.

This elevated station, opened on July 19, 1917, has three tracks and two island platforms. The center track is not normally used.

The station has wooden canopies with transite and wooden mezzanines. The northbound platform’s benches are surrounded by low windscreen on three sides. The southbound platform bears the tertiary name of Columbus Square, for a small park containing a statue of Columbus by Angelo Racioppi immediately east of the southeastern stair of the station. It also has an enclosed waiting area. This station affords a view of the Hell Gate Bridge and viaduct to the north, Triborough Bridge to the west, and Grand Central Parkway underneath. These three structures forced a change in the station. The overpass to the far north exit was an addition because of the Triborough Bridge’s construction in 1936. The parkway forced relocation of the north exit stairways since the parkway was too wide for the original stairways. The southern stairways are original. The mezzanine has separate turnstile banks from each side with crossunders from the platform stairs.

On the morning of May 1, 1998, a backhoe working underneath the station (not performing New York City Transit-related work) struck the mezzanine, ripping out three support beams while damaging four more and creating a huge hole in the floor. There were no injuries, but trains bypassed the station at restricted speed. Cleanup work began immediately and by noon, the slow speed restriction was removed. By 3:00 p.m., a temporary wooden floor has installed. Less than eight hours from the time of the first response, the station was back in full service. Permanent repairs were made overnight.