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:72nd Street station (Second Avenue Subway)

{{Short description|New York City Subway station in Manhattan}}

{{other uses|72nd Street station (disambiguation){{!}}72nd Street station}}

{{good article}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox NYCS

| name = 72 Street

| accessible = yes

| image = 72nd St - 2 Av - Platform.jpg

| image_caption =

| address = 72nd Street & Second Avenue
New York, New York

| borough = Manhattan

| locale = Upper East Side, Lenox Hill

| coordinates = {{coord|40|46|8|N|73|57|30|W|display=inline,title}}

| division = IND

| line = IND Second Avenue Line

| service = Second

| service_header = Second header

| connection = {{bus icon}} NYCT Bus: {{NYC bus link|M15|M15 SBS|M66|M72}}

| platforms = 1 island platform

| tracks = 2

| structure = Underground

| open_date = {{start date and age|2017|01|01}}

| adjacent_stations = {{Adjacent stations|system=New York City Subway

|line=Second|left=86th Street|right=Lexington Avenue–63rd Street|note-left={{NYCS Second northbound|time=1}}|note-right={{NYCS Second southbound|time=1}}}}

| legend = {{NYCS infobox legend|alltimes}}{{NYCS infobox legend|limitedrush}}{{NYCS infobox legend|limitedrushpeak}}{{NYCS infobox legend|weekendsevenings}}

|layout={{Routemap|inline=y

|legend=track

|map=

  • S1!_abbr=track S1 continues northeast\*S2!_abbr=track S2 continues northeast

uSTR!~MFADEg\uSTR!~MFADEg ~~ ~~ ~~ to {{stl|NYCS|86th Street|Second}}

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uABZg2\uABZg3

uABZg+1\uABZg+4

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR(R)

uABZg2\uABZg3

uABZg+1\uABZg+4

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uSTR\\uSTR

uSTR\uSTRc2\uSTR3

uSTR3!~dMFADEgq!~uSTRc2\uSTR3+1\uSTRc4!~*G3__align=b,abbr=track G3 veers to the southwest

uSTRc4!~uSTR3+1!~MFADEgq\uSTRc4\*G4__align=b,abbr=track G4 veers to the southwest ~~ ~~ ~~ to {{stl|NYCS|Lexington Avenue–63rd Street}}

}}

}}

The 72nd Street station is a station on the first phase of the Second Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Second Avenue and 72nd Street, in the Lenox Hill section of the Upper East Side in Manhattan, it opened on January 1, 2017. The station is served by the Q train at all times, as well as limited rush-hour N trains and one northbound A.M. rush hour R train.

72nd Street has two tracks and one island platform; when planning for the line started in the early 2000s, the station was originally proposed with 3 tracks and 2 island platforms, but this was cut back due to the line's rising costs. This is the southernmost station on the first phase of the Second Avenue Line; south of this station, the BMT 63rd Street Line diverges to the west, towards the Lexington Avenue–63rd Street station, and bellmouths exist for a future extension to Second Avenue–Houston Street and Hanover Square.

The station was not originally proposed as part of the Program for Action in 1968, but a later revision to that plan entailed building a Second Avenue Subway with one of its stops located at 72nd Street. Construction on that project started in 1972, but stalled in 1975 due to lack of funding. In 2007, a separate measure authorized a first phase of the Second Avenue Line to be built between 65th and 105th Streets, with stations at 72nd, 86th, and 96th Streets. The station opened on January 1, 2017, with provisions to extend the line south to Houston Street in Phase 3. Since opening, the presence of the Second Avenue Subway's three Phase 1 stations has improved real estate prices along the corridor. The 72nd Street station was used by approximately 9.5 million passengers in 2019.{{NYCS const|riderref}}

The station, along with the other Phase 1 stations along the Second Avenue Subway, contains features not found in most New York City Subway stations. It is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, containing six elevators for disabled access. Additionally, the station contains air conditioning and is waterproofed, a feature only found in newer stations. The artwork at 72nd Street is Perfect Strangers, a set of portrait mosaics by artist and photographer Vik Muniz.

__TOC__

History

= Background =

File:SAS72ndStreet201201.jpg

File:72 St 2 Av Jan 2017 09.jpg

File:72 St 2 Av Jan 2017 38.jpg

The Second Avenue Line was originally proposed in 1919 as part of a massive expansion of what would become the Independent Subway System (IND).{{cite web| url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Second_Avenue_Subway:_The_Line_That_Almost_Never_Was|title=www.nycsubway.org: Second Avenue Subway: The Line That Almost Never Was| year=1972| publisher=nycsubway.org| access-date=September 30, 2015}}{{Cite Routes Not Taken}}{{rp|203}} Work on the line never commenced, as the Great Depression crushed the economy.{{cite web| url=http://nycsubway.org/wiki/IND_Second_System_-_1929_Plan|title=IND Second System 1929 Plan|publisher=nycsubway.org|access-date=March 25, 2016}} Numerous plans for the Second Avenue Subway appeared throughout the 20th century, but these were usually deferred due to lack of funds. In anticipation of the never-built new subway line, the Second and Third Avenue elevated lines were demolished in 1942 and 1955, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://mta.info/planning/sas/sas_history_1.htm|title=Second Avenue Subway Project – History|date=October 19, 2002|access-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021019053707/http://mta.info/planning/sas/sas_history_1.htm| archive-date=October 19, 2002}}{{cite news| url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1955/05/13/80773167.pdf|title=Last Train Rumbles On Third Ave. 'El'; An Era Ends With Final Run of Third Avenue "El" LAST TRAIN ROLLS ON THIRD AVE. 'EL'|work=The New York Times | access-date=August 23, 2016}} The Second Avenue Elevated had one station at 72nd Street and Second Avenue—right above the same intersection where the current subway station is locatedSee:

  • {{cite web

|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/lines/2ndave-el.html

|title=2nd Avenue El

|work=nycsubway.org

|access-date=January 25, 2009

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127041414/http://nycsubway.org/lines/2ndave-el.html

|archive-date=January 27, 2009 |url-status=live

}}

  • {{cite web

|url=http://stationreporter.net/2avl.htm

|title=Second Avenue Local

|work=Station Reporter

|access-date=January 25, 2009

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130064659/http://stationreporter.net/2avl.htm

|archive-date=January 30, 2009 |url-status=dead

}}—while the Third Avenue Elevated had two nearby stops on nearby Third Avenue at 67th Street and 76th Street.See:

  • {{cite web

|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/lines/3rdave-el.html

|title=3rd Avenue El

|work=nycsubway.org

|access-date=January 25, 2009

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090127041419/http://nycsubway.org/lines/3rdave-el.html

|archive-date=January 27, 2009 |url-status=live

}}

  • {{cite web

|url=http://www.stationreporter.net/3avl.htm

|title=Third Avenue Local

|work=Station Reporter

|access-date=January 25, 2009

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609061601/http://www.stationreporter.net/3avl.htm

|archive-date=June 9, 2010 |url-status=dead

}}

= Unrealized proposals =

As part of the New York City Transit Authority's 1968 Program for Action, the construction of the full-length Second Avenue Subway was proposed. It was to be built in two phases—the first phase from 126th to 34th Streets, the second phase from 34th to Whitehall Streets.{{cite web|publisher=nycsubway.org|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/The_New_York_Transit_Authority_in_the_1970s|title= The New York Transit Authority in the 1970s}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Second_Avenue_Subway:_Route_132-A|title=DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT, SECOND AVENUE SUBWAY, ROUTE 132-A|date=August 1971|publisher=nycsubway.org|work=Urban Mass Transportation Administration|access-date=May 22, 2014}} The line's planned stops in Manhattan, spaced farther apart than those on existing subway lines, proved controversial; the Second Avenue line was criticized as a "rich man's express, circumventing the Lower East Side with its complexes of high-rise low- and middle-income housing and slums in favor of a silk stocking route."{{rp|218}} People protested for almost a year over the lack of stations at 72nd Street, and a Lenox Hill (72nd Street{{cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/feis/appendixb.pdf|title=Second Avenue Subway Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), May 2004 Appendix B Development of Alternatives|date=May 2004| website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=August 7, 2016}}) station was added in October 1970.{{rp|220}}

All Second Avenue Subway stations built under the Program for Action would have included escalators, high intensity lighting, improved audio systems, platform edge strips, and non-slip floors to accommodate the needs of the elderly and people with disabilities, but no elevators. Space at each station would have been used for ancillary facilities.{{Cite news|date=February 16, 1973| title=Notice of Public Hearing Southern Extension of the Second Avenue Line for the New York City Transit System|work=New York Daily News| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26070094/daily_news/| access-date=December 8, 2018}} The stations were to be made with brick walls and pavers alongside stainless steel, and would have relatively small dimensions, with {{Convert|10|ft||abbr=|adj=on}} mezzanine ceilings. Carson, Lundin & Thorson received a contract for the design of the 72nd Street station.{{cite New York 1960}}{{rp|110}}

A combination of Federal and State funding was obtained, and despite the controversy over the number of stops and route, a groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 27, 1972, at Second Avenue and 103rd Street.[http://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Second_Avenue_Subway:_Timeline "Second Avenue Subway: Timeline"]. nycsubway.org. Retrieved April 7, 2014.{{cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/capconstr/sas/background.html|title=Second Avenue Subway - History| website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408220035/http://web.mta.info/capconstr/sas/background.html|archive-date=April 8, 2014|access-date=April 7, 2014}} Although work on the 72nd Street station never commenced, three short segments of tunnel in East Harlem and Chinatown were built.{{cite magazine| url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2009/07/the_tortured_history_of_the_se.html|title=The Long, Tortured History of the Second Avenue Subway|last=Jewler|first=Sam|date=July 24, 2004|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=August 14, 2015}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SiM3AQAAMAAJ&q=route+132-b+second+avenue&pg=PA34|title=Manhattan East Side Transit Alternatives Study (MESA): Environmental Impact Statement|date=1999|language=en}}{{Rp|9D-24}} However, the city soon experienced its most dire fiscal crisis yet, due to the stagnant economy of the early 1970s, combined with the massive outflow of city residents to the suburbs, and in September 1975, construction on the line stopped, and the tunnels were sealed.{{cite news|last=Burks|first=Edward C.| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/26/archives/work-is-stopped-on-subway-line-city-lacks-funds-to-finish-part-of.html|title=Work is Stopped on Subway Line; City Lacks Funds to Finish Part of 2d Ave. Project |date=September 26, 1975|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=October 4, 2015|url-status=live| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115426/https://www.nytimes.com/1975/09/26/archives/work-is-stopped-on-subway-line-city-lacks-funds-to-finish-part-of.html|archive-date=July 27, 2018|page=41}}

In 1999, the Regional Plan Association considered a full-length Second Avenue Subway, which included 72nd Street as one of its planned 31 stations.[http://www.rpa.org/pdf/metrolink.pdf Metrolink] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802231532/http://www.rpa.org/pdf/metrolink.pdf |date=August 2, 2010 }}, p.20 The entrances to 72nd Street station were to be located at 70th, 72nd, and 74th Streets. The final environmental impact statement was released for the station in April 2004.{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|website=MTA.info|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/ea/FONSI%2010-29-09.pdf |title=Finding of No Significant Impact|date=September 29, 2010}} The initial design of the 72nd Street station lasted about eight years, between 1999 and 2007.

= Construction =

In March 2007, plans for the construction of the Second Avenue Subway were revived.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/09/nyregion/09subway.html|title=Is That Finally the Sound of a 2nd Ave. Subway?|last=Neuman|first=William|date=April 9, 2007|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=June 28, 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2011/02/04/excavation-west-tunnel-second-avenue-subway-complete|title=Excavation of West Tunnel for Second Avenue Subway Complete|date=February 4, 2011|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=October 26, 2016|archive-date=October 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027192009/http://www.mta.info/news/2011/02/04/excavation-west-tunnel-second-avenue-subway-complete|url-status=dead}} The line's first phase, the "first major expansion" to the New York City Subway in more than a half-century,{{Cite news|url=http://www.amny.com/transit/the-second-avenue-subway-explained-1.11244882|title=The Second Avenue subway explained|newspaper=am New York|access-date=October 27, 2016}} included three stations in total (at 72nd, 86th, and 96th Streets), which collectively cost $4.45 to $4.5 billion.*{{cite web|url=http://www.rew-online.com/2014/05/14/light-at-end-of-tunnel-for-second-ave-subway/|title=Real Estate Weekly » Blog Archive » Light at end of tunnel for Second Ave. subway|last=Putzier|first=Konrad|date=May 14, 2014|publisher=Rew-online.com|access-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907034400/http://rew-online.com/2014/05/14/light-at-end-of-tunnel-for-second-ave-subway/|archive-date=September 7, 2017|url-status=dead}}

  • {{cite web|url=http://www.masstransitmag.com/article/12227191/project-update-second-avenue-subway| title=Project Update: Second Avenue Subway|date=August 15, 2016|website=Mass Transit|access-date=October 27, 2016}}

{{cite web| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/drones-exclusive-look-at-new-york-city-second-avenue-subway-line/|title=Drone takes tour of NYC's 2nd Avenue subway line| date=September 16, 2015|website=CBS News|access-date=October 27, 2016}} Its construction site was designated as being from 105th Street and Second Avenue to 63rd Street and Third Avenue.{{cite web|url=http://www.newyork.com/articles/real-estate/updates-on-nycs-biggest-subway-projects-second-avenue-and-east-side-access-59421/ |title=Updates on NYC's Biggest Subway Projects: Second Avenue and East Side Access |last=Nonko |first=Emily |date=January 30, 2014 |publisher=NewYork.com |access-date=June 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517132213/http://www.newyork.com/articles/real-estate/updates-on-nycs-biggest-subway-projects-second-avenue-and-east-side-access-59421/ |archive-date=May 17, 2014 }} The MTA awarded a $337 million contract—one that included constructing the tunnels between 92nd and 63rd Streets, building a launch box for the tunnel boring machine (TBM) at 92nd to 95th Streets, and erecting access shafts at 69th and 72nd Streets—to Schiavone Construction, Skanska USA Civil, and J.F. Shea Construction.{{cite web|publisher=NY Construction| url=http://newyork.construction.com/projects/topprojects06-07/tpstart1-5.pdf |title=Top Projects| date=February 8, 2017 | page=1}}

{{Routemap

| title = Original proposed layout

| title-bg = #{{rcr|NYCS|Q}}

| title-color = black

| legend = track

| map = *S1!_abbr=track S1 continues northeast\*S2!_abbr=track S2 continues northeast

uSTR!~MFADEg\uSTR!~MFADEg ~~ ~~ ~~ to 86 St

numN330\uSTRf\uSTRg\

uBS2+l\uBS2+lr\uBS2+r

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)

uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)

uSHI1l\uSPLa\uSHI1r

uvÜST\uvÜST

uvSTRf\uvSTRg

uv-STR!~uvSTRc2\uvSTR3\uvSTR-

uvSTRc2!~MFADEgq!~POINTERf@f\uv-STR!~uvSTR3+1\uvSTRc4\uvSTR-\*G3__align=b,abbr=southbound track G3 veers to the southwest

uvSTR3+1!~MFADEgq\uv-STR!~uvSTRc4\\uvSTR-\~~ ~~ ~~to Lex Av–63 St

uvSTRc4!~MFADEgq!~POINTERg@g\d\uSHI1+r\uSHI1+l\d\*G4__align=t,abbr=northbound track G4 veers to the southwest

uSTR!~MFADEf\uSTR!~MFADEf ~~ ~~ ~~ Extension southward

  • S1!_abbr=track S1 continues south\d\*S2!_abbr=track S2 continues south

}}

Due to cost increases for construction materials and diesel fuel affecting the prices of contracts not yet signed, the MTA announced in June 2008 that certain features of the Second Avenue Subway would be simplified to save money. One set of changes, which significantly reduced the footprint of the subway in the vicinity of 72nd Street, was the alteration of the 72nd Street station from a three-track, two-platform design to a two-track, single island platform design, paired with a simplification of the connection to the Broadway Line spur.{{cite web|title=Rising costs shelve third Second Ave. Subway track at 72nd :: Second Ave. Sagas| date=June 25, 2008| url=http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/25/rising-costs-shelve-third-second-ave-subway-track-at-72nd/| access-date=May 14, 2014|publisher=Secondavenuesagas.com}}{{Cite web| date=August 17, 2006|title=Community Board 8 Second Avenue Subway Task Force|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/CB8%20presentation%2006-17-08.pdf|url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408215418/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/CB8%20presentation%2006-17-08.pdf| archive-date=April 8, 2014|website=MTA.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}, June 17, 2008 Supplemental environmental impact studies covering the changes for the 72nd Street station was completed in June 2009.{{cite web|title=Microsoft PowerPoint – 0080617_CB8_Final [Compatibility Mode]| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/CB8%20presentation%2006-17-08.pdf|access-date=August 2, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Microsoft PowerPoint – 080729_CB8_Final_distribution version|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/cb8_presentation.pdf|access-date=August 2, 2009}}{{cite web|title=MTA Capital Construction – Second Avenue Subway: Documents| url=http://web.mta.info/capconstr/sas/documents.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625040036/http://web.mta.info/capconstr/sas/documents.html|archive-date=June 25, 2013|access-date=October 5, 2013|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority}}

In May 2010, a tunnel boring machine beginning at 92nd Street started to dig down Second Avenue through the 72nd Street area, to 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue.{{cite news|title=MTA Launches Second Avenue Subway Tunnel Boring Machine|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-launches-second-avenue-subway-tunnel-boring-machine|access-date=October 5, 2013|newspaper=MTA Press Releases|date=May 14, 2010|archive-date=October 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006223833/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-launches-second-avenue-subway-tunnel-boring-machine|url-status=dead}}[http://www.ny1.com:80/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=8&aid=66187 Exclusive: Ground Breaking For 2nd Avenue Subway Line Weeks Away] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011130816/http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=8&aid=66187 |date=October 11, 2007 }} – NY1, January 24, 2007

On October 1, 2010, MTA awarded a $431 million contract to SSK Constructors (a joint venture) for the mining of the tunnels connecting the 72nd Street station to the existing 63rd Street station, and for the excavation and heavy civil structures of the 72nd Street Station.{{cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/capconstr/procurement/cc_recentawards.htm|title=MTA Capital Construction – Procurement|work=mta.info}} Construction was to be done through two shafts at 69th and 72nd Streets, the locations of the future entrances; shaft sinking work was started in late 2010. Projected completion of the contract was estimated at November 2013. The rock around the area is mostly Manhattan schist, and was generally considered to be a stable location for blasting, so blasting for the station commenced on January 18, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/blasting-second-avenue-subway-72nd-street-station-completed-0|title=Blasting for Second Avenue Subway 72nd Street Station Completed|work=MTA Press Release|date=March 4, 2013|access-date=June 12, 2014|archive-date=April 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412200943/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/blasting-second-avenue-subway-72nd-street-station-completed-0|url-status=dead}}

On August 8, 2012, a controlled blast at 72nd Street caused rocks to fly over the station site.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/avenue-subway-plagued-safety-violations-article-1.1360978 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Second Avenue subway plagued with dangerous conditions and safety violations |publisher=NY Daily News |date= June 2, 2013|access-date=May 14, 2014 |location=New York}} Nearly two weeks later, on August 21, 2012, an uncontrolled blast for the Second Avenue Subway station at 72nd Street was done incorrectly,{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| website=MTA.info|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/Report%20SAS%20Aug%2021%20Incident_FINAL.pdf|title= Summary Report of August 21, 2012 Incident at Ancillary No. 2}} causing a large explosion that sent debris into the air and broke windows of buildings in the area and damaged nearby sidewalks.{{cite web|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/08/21/blasting-goes-awry-along-2nd-avenue-subway/ |title=Blasting Goes Awry Along 2nd Avenue Subway « CBS New York |publisher=Newyork.cbslocal.com |date=August 21, 2012 |access-date=May 14, 2014}}{{cite news|author =Updated: August 22, 2012 2:25 pm |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/21/second-avenue-subway-explosion-breaks-windows-explosive_n_1819277.html |title=Second Avenue Subway Explosion Breaks UES Windows After Workers Use Too Many Explosives (PHOTOS) |publisher=Huffington Post |date=August 21, 2012|access-date=May 14, 2014}}{{cite web|author1=Kathy Carvajal |author2=Arun Kristian Das |author3=Luke Funk |url=http://www.myfoxny.com/story/19331578/large-plume-of-smoke-at-subway-construction-site |title=Second Ave. subway construction blast investigation – New York News |publisher=Myfoxny.com |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514220800/http://www.myfoxny.com/story/19331578/large-plume-of-smoke-at-subway-construction-site |archive-date=May 14, 2014 }}

File:Second Avenue Subway- 72nd St. (12441101214).jpg

Cavern drilling was finished in August 2012;{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|website=MTA.info|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%2072nd%20Newsletter%20Aug-Sept%202012.pdf |title=Newsletter August/September 2012|date=October 2012}} however, blasting for the station entrances was not completed until February 28, 2013.{{cite web| url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/03/04/mta-second-avenue-subway-blasting-completed/ |title=MTA: Second Avenue Subway Blasting Completed « CBS New York |publisher=Newyork.cbslocal.com |date=March 4, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/blasting-second-avenue-subway-72nd-street-station-completed-0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412200943/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/blasting-second-avenue-subway-72nd-street-station-completed-0 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2015 |title=MTA {{pipe}} Press Release {{pipe}} MTA Headquarters {{pipe}} Blasting for Second Avenue Subway 72nd Street Station Completed |publisher=New.mta.info |access-date=May 14, 2014 }} Demolition of a muck house, erected in August 2011 to remove mud from the tunnels, was finished by October 2013.{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| website=MTA.info| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%20Newsletter%2072nd-Oct_2013.pdf|title= 72nd Street Station Area Update October 2013|date=October 2013}} By January 2013, almost 96.3% of excavation was completed, with {{convert|177873|yd3|m3}} of dirt excavated from the station; waterproofing was also being done in the station and the tunnels south of it.{{cite web |author=Garth Johnston |url=http://gothamist.com/2013/01/29/photos_the_second_avenue_subway_app.php |title=Photos: The Second Avenue Subway Approaches Reality Station |publisher=Gothamist |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928030108/http://gothamist.com/2013/01/29/photos_the_second_avenue_subway_app.php |archive-date=September 28, 2013 }}{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/29/second-avenue-subway-construction-photos_n_2574774.html |title=Second Avenue Subway Construction: MTA Shows Off January 2013 Progress (PHOTOS) |publisher=Huffington Post |date=January 29, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2014}} The contract for the station's finishing touches, including the electrical, plumbing, track, and signal systems, as well as entrances and exits, was awarded to Judlau Contracting at a price of $258 million in February 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130215/upper-east-side/mta-awards-258m-contract-for-second-avenue-subway-station-at-e-72nd-st |title=MTA Awards $258M Contract for Second Avenue Subway Station at E. 72nd St. – Upper East Side – DNAinfo.com New York |publisher=Dnainfo.com |date=February 15, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515170834/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20130215/upper-east-side/mta-awards-258m-contract-for-second-avenue-subway-station-at-e-72nd-st |archive-date=May 15, 2014 }} {{As of|2014|5|12|df=us}}, the mezzanine level of the station was completed and being used to store equipment.{{cite web|url=http://untappedcities.com/2014/05/12/a-subterranean-expedition-shows-progress-in-nycs-second-avenue-subway-tunnels/ |title=A Subterranean Expedition Shows Progress in NYC's Second Avenue Subway Tunnels |publisher=Untapped Cities |date=April 28, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014}} In September, the station's size was gauged by Gothamist to be so large that "55,000 elephants could fit" within the enormous cavern.{{cite web |author=Gothamist |url=http://gothamist.com/2013/09/25/photos_a_2nd_avenue_subway_tour.php |title=Photos: The 2nd Avenue Subway's Progress (And Rails!) |publisher=Gothamist |date=September 25, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424124349/http://gothamist.com/2013/09/25/photos_a_2nd_avenue_subway_tour.php |archive-date=April 24, 2014 }}

The station's ancillaries at 72nd and 69th Street were planned to be completed in winter 2014–2015, but by October 2016, the finishing touches on the ancillaries were still being applied. The station's mezzanine, plumbing, electricity and machinery were originally scheduled to be finished in fall 2015,{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|website=MTA.info|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%20Newsletter%2072nd-May_2014.pdf|title=May 2014 Newsletter|date=May 2014}} but the estimated completion date was pushed back to September 2016{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|website=MTA.info|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%20Newsletter%2072nd-Apr_2015.pdf |title=April 2015 Newsletter|date=April 2015}}{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|website=MTA.info|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/150323_1030_Transit_BUS.pdf#page=149|date= March 2015|title=Report from Transit & Bus Committee|page=149}} and then later to simply the "fall of 2016".{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| website=MTA.info| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%20Newsletter%2072nd%20-%20September%202016.pdf |title=September 2016 Newsletter|date=September 2016}}

{{As of|April 2015}}, the station was 56% complete,{{cite web | url=http://gothamist.com/2015/04/27/2nd_ave_subway_photos.php | title=New Photos Show Second Avenue Subway Stations Nearing Completion | work=Gothamist | date=April 27, 2015 | access-date=May 2, 2015 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501202048/http://gothamist.com/2015/04/27/2nd_ave_subway_photos.php | archive-date=May 1, 2015 | df=mdy-all }} and {{as of|October 2016|lc=yes}}, the station was 92% complete. However, in July 2016, it was reported that the station's opening could be delayed because the station's elevator had not been delivered and because the communication systems at the station had yet to be finished.{{cite web|url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160725/upper-east-side/disappointing-delay-june-puts-2nd-ave-subway-behind-mta-consultant|title='Disappointing Delay' in June Puts 2nd Ave. Subway Behind: MTA Consultant|website=DNAinfo New York|access-date=July 26, 2016|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821181911/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160725/upper-east-side/disappointing-delay-june-puts-2nd-ave-subway-behind-mta-consultant|archive-date=August 21, 2016}} The elevators and communication systems still needed to be finished by October 2016, and it was possible that the station's opening could be delayed. With the station being delayed, the possibility of opening the other two stations of the line in December but skipping this station was being considered.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/25/nyregion/after-almost-a-century-second-avenue-subway-is-oh-so-close-to-arriving.html|title=After Almost a Century, the 2nd Avenue Subway Is Oh-So-Close to Arriving|last=Fitzsimmons|first=Emma G.|date=October 24, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=October 27, 2016}} On December 14, though, the MTA announced that all of the line's stations would open at the same time.{{cite web | last=Rivoli | first=Dan | title=Second Avenue subway line set to open on New Year's Eve | website=NY Daily News | date=December 14, 2016 | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/avenue-subway-line-set-open-new-year-eve-article-1.2911156 | access-date=December 15, 2016}} Still, systems testing at this station had not been completed by December 19. The station opened on January 1, 2017.{{cite web | last=McCowan | first=Candace | title=Decades in the making, Second Avenue Subway set to open to the public | website=ABC7 New York | date=December 31, 2016 | url=http://abc7ny.com/news/decades-in-the-making-second-avenue-subway-set-to-open-to-the-public/1680811/| access-date=January 1, 2017}}{{cite web | last1=Fitzsimmons | first1=Emma G. | last2=Wolfe | first2=Jonathan | title=Second Avenue Subway Opening: What to Know | website=The New York Times | date=January 1, 2017 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/01/nyregion/second-avenue-subway-opening-upper-east-side-manhattan.html | access-date=January 1, 2017}}

= Phase Three =

File:Second Avenue Subway (17945099485).jpg

Once construction on Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, which will run from 105th Street to the Harlem–125th Street station at Lexington Avenue, is completed, construction is expected to start on Phase 3, which would extend the Second Avenue Subway south down Second Avenue to Houston Street. The tracks would diverge from the tracks that continue to the BMT 63rd Street Line running south on Second Avenue. There is currently a large provisional cavern, or bellmouth, for this line.{{Cite web|url=https://i1.wp.com/ltvsquad.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/IMG_8675.jpg?w=900|title=It contains a provision for the full length Second Ave. Subway|last=Anastasio|first=Joseph|website=ltvsquad.com|access-date=December 30, 2016}} However, no funding has been committed to this phase.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ave-subway-track-open-2016-mta-article-1.1251331|title=Second Ave. subway on track to open in 2016: MTA|last=Donohue|first=Pete|date=January 20, 2013|newspaper=Daily News|location=New York|access-date=March 25, 2013}} After Phase 3, a new T service{{cite magazine|last=Hirschman|first=David|date=August 2008|title=The T Train: NYC Will Get Its First New Subway Line in 70 Years|url=https://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-08/st_atlas|issue=Aug '08|page=36|quote=The old (1960s) T service was also called the West End train. The reference was to Brooklyn. By contrast, the new T service will serve the East Side of Manhattan, and 'will unite the Upper and Lower East Sides.'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725041558/http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-08/st_atlas|archive-date=July 25, 2008|magazine=Wired|access-date=April 8, 2014}} will operate from Harlem–125th Street to Houston Street.{{cite web| url=http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/SAS_make_the_case.pdf|title=Making the Case|date=August 20, 2004| publisher=Federal Transit Administration|access-date=April 10, 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227003027/http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/SAS_make_the_case.pdf|archive-date=February 27, 2013}}

An additional two-track connection, tracks ST-1 and ST-2, is planned between the line toward Lower Manhattan (around 63rd Street) and the IND 63rd Street Line toward Queens using existing bellmouths that are at 63rd Street and First Avenue. Current plans do not call for it to be used by regular service, but instead to be used for non-revenue moves, and to provide a connection to the Jamaica Yard maintenance depot.{{cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/final_summary_report.pdf|title=Final Summary Report| date=October 11, 2001|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=April 10, 2014}}{{cite web| url=http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/SAS_make_the_case.pdf| title=Making the Case|date=August 20, 2004| publisher=Federal Transit Administration|access-date=April 10, 2014|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227003027/http://www.fta.dot.gov/documents/SAS_make_the_case.pdf|archive-date=February 27, 2013}} The connection would allow for trains to run from the Financial District to Queens if the capacity of the IND Queens Boulevard Line was increased, or if the Queens Super-Express Bypass was built.{{cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/feis/appendixb.pdf|title=Second Avenue Subway Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), May 2004 Appendix B Development of Alternatives|date=May 2004| website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=August 7, 2016}}

Station layout

table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3

|style="width:100px; border-bottom:solid 1px gray; border-top:solid 1px gray;"|Ground

|style="width:100px; border-top:solid 1px gray; border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Street level

|style="width:600px; border-top:solid 1px gray; border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Exits/entrances

style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Basement 1

|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Upper landing

|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|South entrance escalator landing

style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Basement 2

|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Mezzanine

|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Fare control, station agent, MetroCard and OMNY machines
{{NYCS Platform Layout access}}

rowspan="3" style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray; vertical-align:top;"|Basement 3
Platform level

|Southbound

|← {{rint|newyork|Q}} toward {{stl|NYCS|Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue}} via Brighton ({{stl|NYCS|Lexington Avenue–63rd Street}})
← {{rint|newyork|N}} toward Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue via Sea Beach (select rush hour trips) (Lexington Avenue–63rd Street)

style="border-top:solid 2px black;border-right:solid 2px black;border-left:solid 2px black;border-bottom:solid 2px black;text-align:center;" colspan=2|Island platform {{access icon}}
style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Northbound

|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|{{0|→}} {{rint|newyork|Q}} toward {{stl|NYCS|96th Street|Second}} ({{stl|NYCS|86th Street|Second}}) →
{{0|→}} {{rint|newyork|N}} toward 96th Street (select rush hour trips) (86th Street) →
{{0|→}} {{rint|newyork|R}} toward 96th Street (one AM rush hour trip) (86th Street) →

File:72 St 2 Av Jan 2017 05.jpg

The 72nd Street station is served by Q trains at all times, some N trains during rush hours, and one northbound R train during the AM rush hours.{{cite web| url=https://progressiveaction.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/sub-division-b-general-distribution-fall-2016-wp-book.pdf|title=SUB-DIVISION B TRAIN OPERATOR/CONDUCTOR ROAD & NON-ROAD WORK PROGRAMS IN EFFECT: NOVEMBER 6, 2016|date=July 29, 2016|website=progressiveaction.info|publisher=New York City Transit| access-date=August 19, 2016}} The station is between 86th Street to the north and Lexington Avenue–63rd Street to the south.{{NYCS const|map}} It has two tracks and an island platform.{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2010/05/14/tunneling-begins-under-second-avenue|title=Tunneling Begins Under Second Avenue|date=May 14, 2010|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606084216/http://mta.info/news/stories/?story=63|archive-date=June 6, 2011|url-status=dead }} The station is built so that it is more wide open than most other underground subway stations in the system, like other Second Avenue Subway stations but unlike existing New York City Subway stations.{{cite web | url=https://gizmodo.com/a-subterranean-stroll-through-nycs-newest-train-tunnel-1570826409 | title=A Subterranean Stroll Through NYC's Newest Train Tunnel | work=Gizmodo | date=May 2, 2014 | access-date=May 13, 2014 | author=Hession, Michael}}{{Cite web|publisher=Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration|url=http://me.smenet.org/docs/Publications/ME/Issue/May%201_WebOnly.pdf |title=NEW YORK CITY—Second Avenue Subway: MTA's Second Avenue Station and Tunnels Project}} Due to its openness, the station was likened to a Washington Metro station by Michael Horodniceanu, President of MTA Capital Construction.{{cite web|url=http://www.amny.com/transit/second-avenue-subway-progress-dec-2016-end-date-on-track-1.7892110|title=Second Avenue Subway progress: Dec. 2016 end date on track|work=AM New York|author =Rivoli, Dan|date=May 1, 2014|access-date=May 14, 2014}} The deep-level platform is approximately 99 feet (30 m) below ground, making it the deepest of the three stations built under phase 1.{{cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/SAS_March_2014_Public_Workshop_Follow-Up_Report.pdf#page=23| title=Second Avenue Subway March 2014 Public Workshop Follow-Up Report, page 23| author =Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=April 21, 2016}} The platform for the 72nd Street station, like the other Second Avenue Subway stations, is {{convert|27.8|ft|m}} wide.{{cite web| url=http://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/09/21/a_tour_of_nycs_newest_subway_station_with_its_architect.php| title=A Tour of NYC's Newest Subway Station With Its Architect|date=September 21, 2015| website=Curbed NY| access-date=September 24, 2015}} As with other stations on the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway, it was designed and engineered by a joint venture of Arup and AECOM.{{Cite web |last=Thorpe |first=Harriet |date=2017-01-19 |title=AECOM-Arup completes the first phase of New York’s Second Avenue Subway expansion |url=https://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/arup-aecom-complete-first-phase-nyc-second-avenue-subway-expansion |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Wallpaper* |language=en}}

The station has air-cooling systems to make it at least {{convert|10|F-change|0}} cooler than other subway stations during the summer.{{cite news| url=https://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/cooler-subways-coming-eventually-article-1.550619|title=Cooler Subways Coming Eventually|last=Donohue|first=Pete|date=August 4, 2006|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=December 12, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010000252/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2006/08/04/2006-08-04_cooler_subways_coming__eventually.html|archive-date=October 10, 2007|url-status=live}} This requires the station to have large ventilation and ancillary buildings, rather than traditional subway grates.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/01/nyregion/second-ave-subway-line-wont-have-sidewalk-ventilation-grates.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&_r=1& | title=No Heel Hazards (or Gusts) as Subway Expands | work=New York Times | date=September 30, 2013 | access-date=May 5, 2014 | author=Roberts, Sam | location=New York}} The station is also compliant with current fire codes, whereas most existing stations are not.{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ave-subway-line-construction-progressing-officials-article-1.1795916 | title=Second Avenue subway line construction is progressing: officials | work=NY Daily News | date=May 16, 2014 | access-date=May 19, 2014 | author=Nolan, Caitlin}} Additionally, the station is waterproofed with concrete liners and fully drained. In early plans, the Second Avenue Subway was supposed to have platform screen doors to assist with air-cooling, energy savings, ventilation, and track safety,{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/05/nyregion/05doors.html|title=2nd Ave. Subway Platforms May Get Glass Walls and Sliding Doors|last=Neuman|first=William|date=April 5, 2007|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=January 12, 2017}} but this plan was scrapped in 2012 as cost-prohibitive.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/city-hall/story/2012/12/no-seoul-style-platform-doors-for-new-york-subways-even-in-new-stations-000000|title=No Seoul-style platform doors for New York subways, even in new stations|work=Politico|date=December 7, 2012|first=Dana |last=Rubinstein}} According to an internal study prepared for the MTA in 2020, the 72nd Street station could theoretically accommodate half-height platform edge doors. Full-height platform screen doors would be possible but would necessitate the installation of structural bracing and relocation of several mechanical systems.{{Cite web|url=https://new.mta.info/document/73241|title=New York City Transit System-wide Platform Screen Door Feasibility Study Summary of Conclusions|date=February 2020|author=Stv Inc.|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|page=3392|access-date=January 28, 2022}}

=Track layout=

Diamond crossovers are located in the cavern both north and south of the station, with a flying junction to the BMT 63rd Street Line via tracks G3 and G4 just south of the southern crossover.{{Cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/CB8%20presentation%2006-17-08.pdf|title=Community Board 8 Second Avenue Subway Task Force|date=August 17, 2006|website=MTA.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408215418/http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/CB8%20presentation%2006-17-08.pdf|archive-date=April 8, 2014|url-status=dead }}{{NYCS const| trackref|468}}{{Cite AV media|author=2nd Avenue Subway|title=Second Avenue Subway Test Train| date=October 27, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-GAA4DOd7s| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/b-GAA4DOd7s| archive-date=2021-11-14 | url-status=live|via=YouTube| access-date=October 28, 2016}}{{cbignore}} The station cavern, which includes both crossovers, is {{convert|1300|ft|m}} long. South of this station there are provisions for the Second Avenue Subway to continue further south via Second Avenue. The tracks would pass over track G4, which connects the BMT 63rd Street Line to the uptown Second Avenue Subway track, track S2.

The 72nd Street station was conceived as a three-track station with two island platforms,{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/feis/figure2-04.pdf|title=Second Avenue Subway Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), May 2004 Figure 2-4 Track Diagram, North of 55th Street| date=May 2004|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=August 7, 2016}} but prior to construction was reduced to a two-track, one-island platform station, due to the high cost of building a three-track, two-platform station.{{cite web|url=http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/06/25/rising-costs-shelve-third-second-ave-subway-track-at-72nd/|title=Rising costs shelve third Second Ave. Subway track at 72nd :: Second Ave. Sagas|date=June 25, 2008 |publisher=Secondavenuesagas.com|access-date=May 14, 2014}} Additionally, the station's width was shaved back from {{convert|100|ft|m}} to {{convert|70|ft|m}}. Although this served to reduce costs, it also removed a lot of operational flexibility from the 72nd Street station, since trains cannot be turned back at the station without severely disrupting service.{{cite web| url=https://www.villagevoice.com/2018/02/07/the-second-avenue-subway-is-already-screwed/|title=Thanks to an MTA Design Decision, the Second Avenue Subway Is Already Screwed| last=Ebiri| first=Bilge| date=February 7, 2018|website=Village Voice|access-date=February 10, 2018}}

=Artwork=

The station artwork, Perfect Strangers, consists of portraits by artist and photographer Vik Muniz.{{cite web |author=Ben Yakas |url=http://gothamist.com/2014/01/22/heres_what_the_second_avenue_subway.php |title=Here's What The Second Avenue Subway Will Look Like When It's Filled With Art |publisher=Gothamist |date=January 22, 2014 |access-date=May 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330041727/http://gothamist.com/2014/01/22/heres_what_the_second_avenue_subway.php |archive-date=March 30, 2014 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140205/upper-east-side/mosaic-artist-picked-for-second-avenue-subways-72nd-street-station |title=Mosaic Artist Picked for Second Avenue Subway's 72nd Street Station |publisher=DNA Info |date=February 5, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515170610/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140205/upper-east-side/mosaic-artist-picked-for-second-avenue-subways-72nd-street-station |archive-date=May 15, 2014 }} In February 2014, Muniz was chosen in a MTA Arts & Design competition with more than 100 entrants.{{cite web |url=http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140205/upper-east-side/mosaic-artist-picked-for-second-avenue-subways-72nd-street-station |title=Mosaic Artist Picked for Second Avenue Subway's 72nd Street Station – Upper East Side – DNAinfo.com New York |publisher=Dnainfo.com |date=February 5, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515170610/http://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20140205/upper-east-side/mosaic-artist-picked-for-second-avenue-subways-72nd-street-station |archive-date=May 15, 2014 }}

Muniz's artwork comprises 36 mosaic-cast portraits of real people who look like they are waiting for a train. These portraits, based on photographs of his acquaintances, are scattered along the exits and mezzanine. The portraits include those of chef Daniel Boulud and designer Waris Ahluwalia. Muniz also has a portrait of himself, running after a wayward suitcase while papers fly away behind him.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/19/arts/design/second-avenue-subway-art.html|title=Art Underground: A First Look at the Second Avenue Subway| last=Kennedy| first=Randy|date=December 19, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=December 19, 2016}}{{Cite web|title=MTA - Arts & Design {{pipe}} NYCT Permanent Art|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=Q&artist=1&station=3|access-date=2022-07-20|website=web.mta.info}} A married same-sex couple is also depicted, marking the first permanent, non-political LGBT art in New York City.{{Cite news|url=http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/12/second-avenue-subway-station-features-portrait-of-gay-couple.html|title=Second Avenue Subway Station Features Portrait of Gay Couple Holding Hands|last=Raymond|first=Adam K.|date=December 27, 2016|newspaper=New York Magazine|access-date=December 27, 2016}}{{cite web | title=New subway station has public art rarely seen: A gay couple | website=NBC News | date=December 27, 2016 | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/new-subway-station-has-public-art-rarely-seen-gay-couple-n700461 | access-date=November 3, 2023}} The depiction is based on a photograph of a same-sex couple. The Jewish magazine Forward claimed that the work was antisemitic because one of the figures was a Jewish man holding a globe and luggage.{{Cite web| url=https://forward.com/culture/357687/is-the-second-avenue-subway-saying-something-about-us-in-this-mural/| title=Is the Second Avenue Subway Saying Something About Us in This Mural?|last=Romm| first=Jake| date=December 23, 2016|website=The Forward|language=en-US|access-date=July 28, 2019}}

=Exits and ancillary buildings=

File:A 72nd Street Station Entrance at work on Opening Day.jpg

The current station layout includes 3 numbered entrances/exits, containing 11 escalators in addition to 5 elevators.{{cite web |author=John Del Signore |url=http://gothamist.com/2013/05/16/photos_deep_inside_the_second_avenu.php |title=Photos: Deep Inside The Second Avenue Subway's 72nd Street Station |publisher=Gothamist |date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=May 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022140904/http://gothamist.com/2013/05/16/photos_deep_inside_the_second_avenu.php |archive-date=October 22, 2014 }}{{Cite web| publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| website=MTA.info| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%20Newsletter%2072nd-Apr_2014.pdf |title=72nd Street Station Area Update |date=April 2014}} There are also two ancillary buildings that contain station equipment.{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| website=MTA.info| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%20Newsletter%2072nd-August_2015.pdf |title=August 2015 Newsletter|date=August 2015}} One building at the northwest corner of Second Avenue and 72nd Street contains both ancillary equipment and a station entrance.{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| website=MTA.info| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/CB8%20SAS%20Task%20Force%20meeting%202015July14_Final_sm.pdf#page=14|date=July 14, 2015|title=July 2015 Task Force Presentation|page=14}}

The entrances and exits are located at:{{cite web| url=http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/mn/M16_UpperEastSide2017Q.pdf|title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Upper East Side|date=2016|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=December 30, 2016}}

class="wikitable"

! Location

! Exit Type

! Number of exits

style="text-align:center;"| Entrance 1
NE corner of Second Avenue and 69th Street{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/2ndAve_Q/New_Q_service.html|title=Introducing the Second Avenue Subway Make Second Avenue Q subway service, your first choice|date=December 30, 2016|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=December 30, 2016}}

| Staircase
Escalator

| 1 staircase
1 escalator

style="text-align:center;"| Entrance 1
SE corner of Second Avenue and 70th Street

| Staircase
Escalator

| 1 staircase
1 escalator

style="text-align:center;"| Entrance 2 (at Ancillary 2)
Building, NW corner of Second Avenue and 72nd Street

| Escalator

| 3 escalators

style="text-align:center;"| Entrance 3
SE corner of Second Avenue and 72nd Street

| Elevator {{access icon}}

| 1 bank of 5 elevators

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = horizontal

| total_width = 450

| caption_align =

| image1 = 72 St 2 Av Jan 2017 19.jpg

| width1 =

| alt1 =

| caption1 = 70th Street exit at night

| image2 = 72nd St IND SAS 02.jpg

| width2 =

| alt2 =

| caption2 = The entrance and ventilation building at 72nd Street

| footer =

}}

The two ancillary buildings are located at:

  • Ancillary 1: Northwest corner of 69th Street and Second Avenue{{Cite web|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|website=MTA.info|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%2072nd%20Newsletter%202012.02.pdf |title=Newsletter February 2012|date= February 2012}}
  • Ancillary 2: Northwest corner of 72nd Street and Second Avenue

In 2007, some area residents filed a lawsuit in opposition to a proposed entrance at 72nd Street between First and Second Avenues, in front of residential buildings at 320 and 340 East 72nd Street, citing that the entrance would take up space on the sidewalk. Due to vocal community opposition, the MTA non-publicly revised plans for the subway entrance in fall 2007, relocating the planned entrance to the southeast corner of Second Avenue and 72nd Street{{Cite web|url=https://www.habitatmag.com/Archive/262-December-2009/You-Can-Fight-City-Hall-actually-the-MTA-and-Win|title=You Can Fight City Hall (actually, the MTA) and Win| last=Morris| first=Bill|date=December 2009|website=habitatmag.com|publisher=Habitat Magazine|access-date=December 19, 2016}}

Two years later, in 2009, a Finding Of No Significant Impact by the Federal Transit Administration found that a proposed entrance at the northeast corner of Second Avenue and 72nd Street was unfeasible, as was the proposed single sidewalk elevator at the southeast corner.{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_docs/ea/FONSI%2010-29-09.pdf|title=Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI): Second Avenue Subway: 72nd Street and 86th Street Station Entrances|date=October 29, 2009|website=mta.info|publisher=United States Department of Transportation|access-date=December 19, 2016}}{{Rp|1–2}} The northeast-corner entrance, within the 305 East 72nd Street apartment building, would have encroached into a portion of CVS Pharmacy's ground-floor retail space as well as the apartment building's basement, which contained its laundry room and several of its utility intake pipes. Building the northeast-corner entrance would have forced the owners of 305 East 72nd Street to move their laundry room and utilities into the retail space occupied by CVS, so plans for the northeast-corner entrance were canceled.{{Rp|3}} The site for the sidewalk elevator on the southeast corner turned out to be located close to a high-pressure steam main that was {{Convert|48|in|cm}} in diameter. After a 2007 steam main explosion in Midtown, utility provider Consolidated Edison changed its guidelines for clearance around high-pressure mains, which meant that the elevator was now too close to the main. Thus, the plan was revised to place the elevator inside a building.{{Rp|3–4}} Of the three alternatives presented for combining the two entrances, the MTA chose an alternative in which there would be five elevators inside a building at the southeast corner of Second Avenue and 72nd Street. This required the demolition of 300 East 72nd Street so that a new building for the five elevators could be built.{{Rp|1–2, 5}}

In 2013, the MTA filed to change the location of Entrance 1, moving it onto from the sidewalk, away from its original proposed location inside 301 East 69th Street. This was because designs for entrances inside the building failed to both satisfy the building's residents as well as meet the MTA's engineering requirements. With the New York City Department of Transportation planning a bike lane along the east side of Second Avenue after construction is finished, the MTA could widen the sidewalk to make room for the entrances without ultimately disrupting traffic flow.{{Cite web| publisher=Federal Transit Administration| website=transit.dot.gov| url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/TechMemo11_2013_June_07.pdf#page=4 |title=July 2013 Technical Memo|page=4|date=July 2013}}{{Cite web| publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority| website=MTA.info| url=http://web.mta.info/capital/sas_pdf/SAS%20Newsletter_72nd-July_2013.pdf |title=July 2013 Newsletter| date=July 2013}}

Effects

File:East 70th St 2d Av canopy jeh.jpg

Business declined during the construction and blasting of the station, with many storefronts losing business and some even being forced to close.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/03/nyregion/promise-of-new-subways-has-west-siders-excited-and-east-siders-skeptical.html?_r=0 | title=Promise of New Subways Has West Siders Excited and East Siders Skeptical | work=The New York Times | date=October 2, 2014 | access-date=October 26, 2014 | author=Schlossberg, Tatiana}}{{cite web|url=http://www.amny.com/real-estate/city-living/second-avenue-subway-will-have-a-stop-at-72nd-st-in-upper-east-side-1.8021087 |title=Second Avenue subway will have a stop at 72nd St. in Upper East Side – am New York |date=May 14, 2014 |publisher=Amny.com |access-date=May 14, 2014}}{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/nyregion/05second.html|title=Subway Work on 2nd Avenue Hobbles Stores| newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 5, 2010|access-date=May 14, 2014|first=Joseph|last=Berger}} However, starting in 2013, construction of the station has caused the value of real estate in the area to start to rise.{{cite news |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/uptown/big-bucks-shops-ave-subway-line-article-1.1568653 |title=Shops along Second Ave. subway line construction sites want big bucks in 2014 |publisher=NY Daily News |date=January 7, 2014 |access-date=May 5, 2014 |location=New York |archive-date=March 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316082737/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/uptown/big-bucks-shops-ave-subway-line-article-1.1568653 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20140224/REAL_ESTATE/302239989/landlords-dig-second-ave-subway |title=Landlords dig Second Ave. subway {{pipe}} Crain's New York Business |publisher=Crainsnewyork.com |date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=May 14, 2014}} Although the surrounding area's real estate prices had been declining since the 1990s, there had been increases in the purchases and leases of residential units around the area, causing real estate prices to rise again.{{cite news | last=Hughes | first=C.J. | title=Yorkville Bets on the Second Avenue Subway | website=The New York Times | date=April 8, 2016 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/10/realestate/real-estate-developers-bet-on-the-second-avenue-subway.html | access-date=April 13, 2016}} On the Upper East Side, prices of real estate west of Third Avenue had historically been higher than prices east of there, but due to the subway's construction, prices of real estate east of the avenue had risen dramatically since the station's construction started.{{cite web | url=http://therealdeal.com/issues_articles/prices-rising-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel/ | title=Upper East Side sees boost from Second Avenue subway progress | work=The Real Deal | date=March 1, 2014 | access-date=May 13, 2014 | author=Acitelli, Tom}} With the opening of the new station, business owners hoped to see an increase in patronage.{{Cite news| url=http://abc7ny.com/news/businesses-hope-for-boost-with-2nd-avenue-subway-launch/1665511/| title=Businesses hope for boost with 2nd Avenue subway launch|date=December 20, 2016|newspaper=ABC7 New York| language=en-US|access-date=December 23, 2016}}{{Cite news| url=http://www.amny.com/transit/second-avenue-subway-opening-excites-upper-east-side-restaurateurs-officials-1.12784408|title=UES community, officials excited for 2nd Ave. subway| last=Barone|first =Vincent| date=December 20, 2016|newspaper=am New York|access-date=December 23, 2016}}

{{Clear}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}

Further reading

  • Nasri, V., Fulcher, B., Redmond, R., and Parikh, A. 2012, Design and Construction of 72nd Street Large and Shallow Rock Cavern Station in New York City. Proceedings of the North American Tunneling Conference 2012, Indianapolis, Indiana, June 20–23, 2012.
  • Nasri, V., Fulcher, B., and Redmond, R. 2012, Design and Construction of 72nd Street Station Rock Cavern in New York. Proceedings of the World Tunnel Congress 2012, Bangkok, Thailand, May 18–23, 2012, International Tunneling Association.

External links

{{commons category}}

  • [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7687925,-73.9585159,3a,75y,55.13h,90.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYljnxHauPVVtxQSgoQeYoQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en Station muck house from Google Maps Street View]
  • [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7668858,-73.9597939,3a,75y,56.84h,85.64t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sXiqs82uK5SxNpvhpLXLcTw!2e0!5s20171201T000000!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en 69th Street entrance from Google Maps Street View]
  • [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.768934,-73.9583079,3a,75y,318.58h,96.35t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s4jLB1dpojrwEX79eaLPGVA!2e0!5s20170801T000000!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en 72nd Street northwest-corner entrance from Google Maps Street View]
  • [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7687587,-73.9584871,3a,37.5y,147.4h,93.16t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ssORAt_VfYW_i3MBiGDGHew!2e0!5s20170801T000000!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en 72nd Street southeast-corner entrance from Google Maps Street View]
  • [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.769164,-73.9581354,3a,75y,109.82h,86.51t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s-x9q1_KT3BJk%2FWGyG1WFEL2I%2FAAAAAAAAFlU%2F0CzpiRd1dLw9kvjhz63E29-S3cFppwvcgCLIB!2e4!3e11!6s%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2F-x9q1_KT3BJk%2FWGyG1WFEL2I%2FAAAAAAAAFlU%2F0CzpiRd1dLw9kvjhz63E29-S3cFppwvcgCLIB%2Fw234-h106-k-no-pi-0-ya68.000015-ro-0-fo100%2F!7i8704!8i4352!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c258c1cc99704f:0x6307ff49f56a1a89!8m2!3d40.7687991!4d-73.958424!6m1!1e1 Platform from Google Maps Street View]
  • [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7680551,-73.9589957,3a,75y,25.58h,91.45t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-56FZ9y8_DRo%2FWGmQif_DGTI%2FAAAAAAAACq0%2F8M90byTdDn4O2hFepBOhkuHt89JRrwoJQCLIB!2e4!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2F-56FZ9y8_DRo%2FWGmQif_DGTI%2FAAAAAAAACq0%2F8M90byTdDn4O2hFepBOhkuHt89JRrwoJQCLIB%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i8704!8i4352!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1 Mezzanine from Google Maps Street View]
  • [https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtaphotos/collections/72157627663707214/ Second Avenue Subway 72nd Street Construction Photos] – MTA's Flickr Website

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