168th Street station (BMT Jamaica Line)

Last updated

 168th Street
 
Former New York City Subway station
168th Street Jamaica El at 165th Street.JPG
Former 168th Street station building at Jamaica Avenue and 165th Street, seen in 2013.
Station statistics
AddressJamaica Avenue & 168th Street
Queens, NY 11433
Borough Queens
Locale Jamaica
Coordinates 40°42′20″N73°47′40″W / 40.70556°N 73.79444°W / 40.70556; -73.79444
Division B (BMT) [1]
Line BMT Jamaica Line
ServicesNone (demolished)
Transit Jamaica Surface Line
Structure Elevated
Platforms1 island platform
Tracks2
Other information
OpenedJuly 3, 1918;105 years ago (1918-07-03) [2] [3] [4]
ClosedSeptember 10, 1977;46 years ago (1977-09-10) [5]
Former/other namesCliffside Avenue [2]
Grand Street [4]
Station succession
Next north(Terminus)
Next south 160th Street (demolished)
Location
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Street map

168th Street station (BMT Jamaica Line)

Station service legend
SymbolDescription
NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg Stops in station at all times
NYCS-SSI-allexceptnights.svg Stops all times except late nights
NYCS-SSI-nightsonly.svg Stops late nights only
NYCS-SSI-nightsweekends.svg Stops late nights and weekends only
NYCS-SSI-weekdaysonly.svg Stops weekdays during the day
NYCS-SSI-weekendsonly.svg Stops weekends during the day
NYCS-SSI-allexceptrush.svg Stops all times except rush hours in the peak direction
NYCS-SSI-allexceptrush.svg Stops all times except weekdays in the peak direction
NYCS-SSI-allexceptrush.svg Stops all times except nights and rush hours in the peak direction
NYCS-SSI-rushonly.svg Stops rush hours only
NYCS-SSI-rushpeak.svg Stops rush hours in the peak direction only
NYCS-SSI-closed.svg Station is closed
(Details about time periods)

The 168th Street station was the terminal station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line in Queens, New York City. It was located between 165th and 168th Streets on Jamaica Avenue.

Contents

History

Early years

168th Street was part of two Dual Contracts extensions of the BMT Broadway-Jamaica Line east of Cypress Hills and the "S-Curve" from Fulton Street to Jamaica Avenue. [2] [6] It opened on July 3, 1918, [3] [4] [6] replacing 111th Street as the line's terminus. [2] 168th Street station also replaced the Canal Street Station along the Atlantic Avenue Rapid Transit line (today part of the LIRR Main Line), which closed nineteen years earlier, and supplanted the trolley service on Jamaica Avenue. [2] [7]

Decline and closure

In 1937, the Queens Boulevard Line of the city-owned Independent Subway System was extended to a new terminal at 169th Street and Hillside Avenue, four blocks away. The opening of the IND terminal drew passengers away from the BMT lines. [8]

Many groups had called for the removal of the extension in the Jamaica Business district since shortly after it opened, and by the 1960s the city planned to close the station and significant portions of the line in Jamaica. [9] Many merchants blamed the line for causing blight and hurting business in the neighborhood. [6] [10]

The line was also torn down in preparation for the completion of the Archer Avenue Subway one block south, which would serve the Jamaica Line and a spur of the IND Queens Boulevard Line, and due to political pressure in the area. [11] [9] Construction of that line began in 1972. [9] 168th Street closed at midnight on September 10, 1977, and the elevated structure from 168th Street to Sutphin Boulevard was torn down by 1979. The line was truncated to Queens Boulevard, with the Q49 bus replacing the demolished portion of the line until December 11, 1988. [5] [6] [11]

Current status

In spite of the support of local business owners for the demolition of the line, stores continued to suffer and several establishments closed due to the absence of the El. This included the large Macy's location in the 165th Street Pedestrian Mall near the bus terminal. [11] [9]

Unlike the 160th Street and Sutphin Boulevard stations, which were completely demolished in 1979, [11] 168th Street's former control tower, known as the "Station and Trainmen's Building", [12] still remains standing on the southeast corner of 165th Street and Jamaica Avenue. It sits inactive atop a block of storefronts. The exit stairways for the station were purchased by a private citizen to be used on their estate in Nissequogue on the Long Island Sound. [13]

The Archer Avenue Line was completed in 1988, nearly ten years after the closure of the station, [14] but it does not extend east to 168th Street. [15] The closest subway stations to this former station are Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer, at Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue, which is nine blocks west and one block south, [15] as well as the existing 169th Street station which is four blocks to the north on Hillside Avenue. [16]

Station layout

This elevated station had two tracks and one island platform. It was constructed with a diamond crossover switch west of the station, and a large signal and switch tower built to the south side of the elevated structure at 165th Street. [6] The entrance to the station at this location was built into an alcove of the signal building, which contained storefronts at ground level. [17] Past the crossover, the line expanded to three tracks, with the middle track ending at 160th Street. While reports say the station had a concrete platform, [6] photographs show a wooden platform. [18] It served trains from the BMT Jamaica-Nassau Street Line to Manhattan (the predecessors to today's J and Z trains) and from the BMT Lexington Avenue Line. [3] [10] The station also connected to the nearby 165th Street Bus Terminal (opened in 1936) at 89th Avenue and Merrick Boulevard via an exit on 165th Street. [11] [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation</span> Defunct transit operator in New York City

The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT) was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940. Today, together with the IND subway system, it forms the B Division of the modern New York City Subway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independent Subway System</span> Defunct subway operator in New York City

The Independent Subway System, formerly known as the Independent City-Owned Subway System (ICOSS) or the Independent City-Owned Rapid Transit Railroad (ICORTR), was a rapid transit rail system in New York City that is now part of the New York City Subway. It was first constructed as the Eighth Avenue Line in Manhattan in 1932.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Proposed expansion of the New York City Subway</span>

Since the opening of the original New York City Subway line in 1904, and throughout the subway's history, various official and planning agencies have proposed numerous extensions to the subway system. The first major expansion of the subway system was the Dual Contracts, a set of agreements between the City of New York and the IRT and the BRT. The system was expanded into the outer reaches of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, and it provided for the construction of important lines in Manhattan. This one expansion of the system provided for a majority of today's system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J/Z (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway services

The J Nassau Street Local and Z Nassau Street Express are two rapid transit services in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Their route emblems, or "bullets", are colored brown since they use the BMT Nassau Street Line in Lower Manhattan.

The BMT Jamaica Line, also known as the Broadway - Brooklyn Line is an elevated rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, in Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, United States. It runs from the Williamsburg Bridge southeast over Broadway to East New York, Brooklyn, and then east over Fulton Street and Jamaica Avenue to Jamaica, Queens. In western Jamaica, the line goes into a tunnel, becoming the lower level of the Archer Avenue lines in central Jamaica. The J and Z trains serve the entire length of the Jamaica Line, and the M serves the line west of Myrtle Avenue.

The Myrtle Avenue Line, also called the Myrtle Avenue Elevated, is a fully elevated line of the New York City Subway as part of the BMT division. The line is the last surviving remnant of one of the original Brooklyn elevated railroads. The remnant line operates as a spur branch from the Jamaica Line to Bushwick, Ridgewood, and Middle Village, terminating at its original eastern terminal across the street from Lutheran Cemetery. Until 1969, the line continued west into Downtown Brooklyn and, until 1944, over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Park Row Terminal in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">121st Street station (BMT Jamaica Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Queens

The 121st Street station is a skip-stop station on the elevated BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 121st Street and Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens, Queens, it is served by the Z train during rush hours in the peak direction and the J train at all other times.

The IND Fulton Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND Division of the New York City Subway, running from the Cranberry Street Tunnel under the East River through all of central Brooklyn to a terminus in Ozone Park, Queens. The IND Rockaway Line branches from it just east of Rockaway Boulevard. The A train runs express during daytime hours and local at night on the underground portion of the line; it runs local on the elevated portion of the line at all times. The C train runs local on the underground portion of the line at all times except late nights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station</span> New York City Subway station in Queens

The Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer station is the northern terminal station of the IND and BMT Archer Avenue Lines of the New York City Subway, located at Parsons Boulevard and Archer Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. It is served by E and J trains at all times, as well as Z trains during rush hours in the peak direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">169th Street station (IND Queens Boulevard Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Queens

The 169th Street station is a local station on the IND Queens Boulevard Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 169th Street and Hillside Avenue in Queens, it is served by the F train at all times and the <F> train during rush hours in the reverse peak direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcy Avenue station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Marcy Avenue station is a station on the BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Marcy Avenue and Broadway in Brooklyn, it is served by the J train at all times, the M train at all times except late nights, and the Z train during rush hours in the peak direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadway Junction station</span> New York City Subway station complex in Brooklyn

The Broadway Junction station is a New York City Subway station complex shared by the elevated BMT Canarsie Line and BMT Jamaica Line, and the underground IND Fulton Street Line. It was also served by trains of the Fulton Street Elevated until that line closed in 1956. It is located roughly at the intersection of Broadway, Fulton Street and Van Sinderen Avenue at the border of Bedford–Stuyvesant and East New York, Brooklyn. The complex is served by the A, J, and L trains at all times; the C train at all times except late nights; and the Z train during rush hours in the peak direction only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Avenue station (BMT Jamaica Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Queens (closed 1985)

The Metropolitan Avenue station was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line in Queens, New York City. It opened in 1918 and closed in 1985 in anticipation of the opening of the Archer Avenue lines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queens Boulevard station</span> New York City Subway station in Queens (closed 1985)

The Queens Boulevard station was a local station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line in Queens, New York City. It had two tracks and two side platforms, with space for a third track in the center. This station was built as part of the Dual Contracts. It opened on July 3, 1918, and was closed in 1985 in anticipation of the Archer Avenue Subway, and due to political pressure in the area. The next stop to the north was Sutphin Boulevard, until it was closed in 1977 and Queens Boulevard became a terminal station. The next stop to the south was Metropolitan Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sutphin Boulevard station (BMT Jamaica Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Queens (closed 1977)

The Sutphin Boulevard station was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line in Queens, New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">160th Street station</span> New York City Subway station in Queens (closed 1977)

The 160th Street station was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line in Queens, New York City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">165th Street Bus Terminal</span> Bus terminal in Queens, New York

References

  1. "Glossary". Second Avenue Subway Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) (PDF). Vol. 1. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. March 4, 2003. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 26, 2021. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "New Subway Line: Affords a Five-Cent Fare Between Manhattan and Jamaica, L.I." (PDF). The New York Times . July 7, 1918. p. 30.
  3. 1 2 3
  4. 1 2 3 "Open "L" Extension to Jamaica Today". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. July 2, 1918. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  5. 1 2 The New York Transit Authority in the 1970s, nycsubway.org
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dembart, Lee (September 9, 1977). "A Sentimental Journey on the BMT..." (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  7. "Rapid Transit Extension: Frequent Trains and Low Fares All the Way to Rockaway Junction". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . June 24, 1890. p. 1. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  8. "New Lines Shift City Travel". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 8, 1937. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Herman, Robin (July 4, 1979). "For Jamaica, Redevelopment Is a Promise Unfulfilled; Projects Are Thwarted". The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Fowler, Glenn (July 27, 1975). "Proposal to End Jamaica Ave. El at Queens Blvd. Is Opposed" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 Breslin, Rosemary (May 22, 1983). "After A Long Slide, Hope For Jamaica". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  12. "Business Property to Let". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . July 3, 1930. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
  13. "Topics; In Transit Tendentious Traveler Stylish Stairs Clamped Cars". The New York Times. July 23, 1978. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  14. Johnson, Kirk (December 9, 1988). "Big Changes For Subways Are to Begin". The New York Times. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  15. 1 2 "Queens Merchants Win More Bus Service". The New York Times. March 17, 1989. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
  16. "MTA Neighborhood Maps: Jamaica" (PDF). mta.info . Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2015. Retrieved June 30, 2015.
  17. New York City Transit Authority (October 7, 1957). "Image Showing BMT Jamaica Elevated Entrance at Jamaica Avenue and 165th Street: Jamaica Line (BMT)". New York Transit Museum . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  18. New York City Board of Transportation (February 28, 1944). "168th Street Station on the BMT Nassau Street /Jamaica Line. Showing the platform with stationed train and passengers". New York Transit Museum . Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  19. "Stores Now Leasing! In the New Long Island Bus Terminal at 165th Street, Jamaica". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . August 16, 1936. Retrieved July 9, 2015.