Myrtle Avenue station (BMT Jamaica Line)
{{Short description|New York City Subway station in Brooklyn}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{other uses|Myrtle Avenue (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox NYCS
| name = Myrtle Avenue
| other_name = Myrtle Avenue–Broadway
| image = Myrtle Avenue-Broadway March 1st 2020.jpg
| image_caption = Station platforms, facing west
| address = Myrtle Avenue and Broadway
Brooklyn, New York
| borough = Brooklyn
| locale = Bushwick / Bedford–Stuyvesant
| coordinates = {{coord|40|41|49|N|73|56|7|W|display=inline,title}}
| division = BMT
| line = BMT Jamaica Line
BMT Myrtle Avenue Line (formerly)
| service = Jamaica Myrtle
| connection = {{bus icon}} NYCT Bus: 12px {{NYC bus link|B15|B46|B47|B54}}
| levels = 2 (upper level abandoned)
| platforms = 3 island platforms (2 in service (lower level), 1 disused (upper level))
cross-platform interchange (lower level)
| tracks = 3 (lower level), 2 (upper level; removed)
| cross_platform = yes
| structure = Elevated
| open_date = {{start date and age|1888|06|25}} (lower level)
{{start date and age|1889|04|27}} (upper level)
| close_date = {{start date and age|1969|10|04}} (upper level)
| accessible = construction
| adjacent_stations = {{Adjacent stations|system=New York City Subway
|line1=Jamaica skip rush|left1=Marcy Avenue|right1=Gates Avenue|note-left1={{NYCS Jamaica west express|time=1}}
express tracks|note-right1={{NYCS Z skip|time=1}}
|line2=Jamaica skip west|left2=Marcy Avenue|right2=Kosciuszko Street|note-left2={{NYCS Jamaica west express|time=1}}
express tracks|note-right2={{NYCS Jamaica J|time=1}}
|line3=Jamaica via local|left3=Flushing Avenue|right3=Kosciuszko Street|note-left3={{NYCS Jamaica west local|time=1}}|note-right3={{NYCS Jamaica J|time=1}}
|line4=Jamaica via Myrtle|left4=Flushing Avenue|right4=Central Avenue|note-left4={{NYCS Jamaica west local|time=1}}|note-right4={{NYCS Myrtle|time=1}}}}
| unused_adjacent_stations = {{Adjacent stations|system=New York City Subway
|line1=none|left1=Park Avenue|right1=Broadway Junction|note-left1=local; demolished|note-right1=express
|line2=none|left2=Sumner Avenue|note-left2=Myrtle Ave; demolished|right2=Evergreen Avenue|note-right2=Myrtle Ave}}
| legend = {{NYCS infobox legend|allexceptnights}}{{NYCS infobox legend|allexceptrush}}{{NYCS infobox legend|nightsonly}}{{NYCS infobox legend|rushpeak}}
| layout = {{Routemap|inline=y
|legend=track
|map-title = Lower level
|map =
numN235\uSTR!~MFADEg ~~ ~~ ~~ to {{stl|NYCS|Broadway Junction|Jamaica}}
\uSTR
\uvSTR!~dMFADEg\udSTR!~dMFADEg ~~ ~~ ~~ {{BSsplit|to {{stl|NYCS|Gates Avenue}}|or {{stl|NYCS|Kosciuszko Street}}}}
\udSTRf\udSTR\udSTRg
\udSHI2gl\udSHI2gl+r\udSHI2g+r
\udSHI2g+l\udSHI2gr+l\udSHI2gr
uvSTR2+r!~dMFADEgq\uvSTR!~uvSTRc3\udSTR ~~ ~~ ~~ to {{stl|NYCS|Central Avenue|Myrtle}}
d\uvSTRc1\uvSTR2+4!~uvABZg+4v\uv2SHI2l-!~uvSTRc3
\uv-SHI2r\udSTR!~uvSTR+4~G!~MASKr\!~uvSTR+4~l!~uv-2SHI2+r
\uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)
\uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)
\uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)
\uPSTR(L)\uPSTR\uPSTR(R)
\uvSHI2l-\udSTR\uv-SHI2r
\udSTRf\uvSTRg!~dNULf@f
\uvSTR!~dMFADEf\udSTR!~dMFADEf ~~ ~~ ~~ to {{stl|NYCS|Flushing Avenue|Jamaica}}
\uSTR!~MFADEf ~~ ~~ ~~ to {{stl|NYCS|Marcy Avenue}}
|map2-title = Upper level (abandoned)
|map2 =
\uexSTR!~MFADEg\d\uexSTR!~MFADEg ~~ ~~ ~~ to Central Avenue
\uexSHI1+r\uexSHI1+l
\uexSTR+c2\uexABZg3
numN285\uexABZg+1\uexSTR+c4
\uexPSTR(L)\uexPSTR(R)
\uexPSTR(L)\uexPSTR(R)
\uexSTR\uexSTR
\uexSTR\uexSTR
\uexSTR\uexSTR
\uexENDEe\uexENDEe
}}
}}
The Myrtle Avenue station (announced on New Technology Trains as the Myrtle Avenue–Broadway station) is a New York City Subway express station on the BMT Jamaica Line. Located at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Broadway at the border of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Bushwick, Brooklyn, it is served by the J and M trains at all times (the latter of which terminates here during late nights), and by the Z during rush hours in peak direction.
The station has two platform levels, but all regular passenger service is on the lower platform level of the station. The station has an abandoned upper platform level which previously served the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line to Downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. Just east of the station, the remaining section of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line diverges from the BMT Jamaica Line via slip switches in an at-grade junction.
History
The lower level of the station opened on June 25, 1888, when the Union Elevated Railroad (leased to the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad) extended its elevated line above Broadway from Gates Avenue northwest to Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50438588/|title=The Broadway Line Opened|date=June 25, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|location=Brooklyn, NY|page=6}} The Broadway Elevated was extended to Broadway Ferry on July 14, 1888.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/60726753/|title=When the Union Road will be Finished|date=July 13, 1888|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|location=Brooklyn, NY|page=1}} Upon the opening of the Williamsburg Bridge tracks in 1908, trains were rerouted across the bridge west of Marcy Avenue.{{Cite news|date=September 17, 1908|title=Mayor Runs a Train Over New Bridge|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1908/09/17/archives/mayor-runs-a-train-over-new-bridge-brooklyn-celebrates-opening-of.html|access-date=January 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}
The upper level station, which was marked on signs as Broadway, opened on April 27, 1889, when the Myrtle Avenue Line was extended east along Myrtle Avenue to Broadway. This extension created a transfer opportunity for the BMT Jamaica Line station.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wI4wAQAAMAAJ|title=Report|date=January 1, 1890|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qfZ0VxuLoc0C|title=The Wheels That Drove New York: A History of the New York City Transit System|last=Roess|first=Roger P.|last2=Sansone|first2=Gene|date=August 23, 2012|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9783642304842|language=en}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50455607/|title=Will Open on Saturday|date=April 25, 1889|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|access-date=February 18, 2018|location=Brooklyn, New York|page=1}} The previous station located nearby at Broadway and Stuyvesant Avenue was then closed.{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/50455444/?terms=it%2Breaches%2Bbroadway|title=Brooklyn Daily Eagle: It Reaches Broadway (April 5, 1889)|work=bklyn.newspapers.com}} The Myrtle Avenue Line was extended from this station to Wyckoff Avenue on July 21, 1889.
The BMT Myrtle Avenue Line from Broadway to Bridge–Jay Streets closed on October 4, 1969, and was replaced via transfer to the B54 bus toward Jay Street.
In 2019, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that this station would become ADA-accessible as part of the agency's 2020–2024 Capital Program.{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-announces-20-additional-subway-stations-receive-accessibility|title=Press Release - MTA Headquarters - MTA Announces 20 Additional Subway Stations to Receive Accessibility Improvements Under Proposed 2020-2024 Capital Plan|date=December 19, 2019|website=MTA|access-date=December 25, 2019|archive-date=April 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421204344/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-announces-20-additional-subway-stations-receive-accessibility|url-status=dead}} The MTA received $254 million from the Federal Transit Administration in 2023 for accessibility upgrades to four subway stations, including the Myrtle Avenue station.{{cite web | title=MTA receiving $254 million to improve accessibility at Brooklyn, Bronx subway stations | website=CBS New York | date=January 4, 2023 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/brooklyn-bronx-mta-subway-stations-accessibility/ | access-date=December 13, 2024}} Work on new elevators began in December 2024.{{cite web |last=Russo-Lennon |first=Barbara |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Queensboro Plaza subway station becomes fully accessible, marking major milestone for MTA – QNS |url=https://qns.com/2024/12/queensboro-plaza-subway-station-unveils-new-elevator-accessibility-features/ |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=QNS}}
Station layout
| table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray;vertical-align:top;" rowspan=3|Fourth floor |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"|Former southbound |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"|No track or roadbed |
| 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, disused |
| Former northbound
|No track or roadbed |
| style="border-top:solid 1px gray;vertical-align:top;" rowspan=5|Third floor Jamaica platforms |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"|Westbound localThis is a wrong-way concurrency in railroad direction. |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;"| ← {{rint|newyork|J}} toward {{stl|NYCS|Broad Street}} ({{stl|NYCS|Flushing Avenue|Jamaica}}) |
| 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 |
| Center track
|← {{rint|newyork|J}}{{rint|newyork|Z}} weekday mornings toward Broad Street ({{stl|NYCS|Marcy Avenue}}) |
| 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 |
| Eastbound local
|{{0|→}} {{rint|newyork|J}} toward Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer (Kosciuszko Street) → |
| style="border-top:solid 1px gray;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Second floor
|style="border-top:solid 1px gray;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Mezzanine |style="border-top:solid 1px gray;border-bottom:solid 1px gray;"|Fare control, station agent, MetroCard machines |
| style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" width=50|Ground
|style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" width=150|Street level |style="border-bottom:solid 1px gray;" width=600|Entrances/exits |
=Lower level=
This elevated station on the lower level, has three tracks and two island platforms.{{NYCS const|trackref|trackbook3}} The center track is used by J and Z trains when they run express between this station and Marcy Avenue in the peak direction on weekdays during rush hours and middays, as well as by late night M shuttle trains from Metropolitan Avenue. East of this station, J and Z trains continue along Broadway, while M trains branch off through an S curve towards the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line. The connection to the Myrtle Avenue Line is one of the few remaining level junctions in the subway as well as one of the few places on revenue tracks with slip switches. From June 2017 until April 2018, this connection was closed due to long-term construction on the Myrtle Avenue Line.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/m-line-shut-year-repairs-article-1.2568599|title=M line to be shut down next year for repairs|last=Rivoli|first=Dan|date=March 17, 2016|newspaper=New York Daily News|access-date=July 23, 2016}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.amny.com/transit/m-line-repairs-will-begin-next-summer-the-mta-said-1.11590899|title=MTA: M line will shut down for part of next year|last=Brown|first=Nicole|date=March 18, 2016|newspaper=am New York|access-date=July 23, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/MyrtleAvenue/index.html|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|title=Myrtle Avenue Line Infrastructure Projects|access-date=July 23, 2016|archive-date=February 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220010108/http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/MyrtleAvenue/index.html|url-status=dead}}
This station is announced as Myrtle Avenue–Broadway station on New Technology Train cars to distinguish it from the nearby Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues station.{{Citation|last=NovaBus5189|title=On Board R160 (M) Train From Middle Village Metropolitan Avenue to Myrtle Avenue-Broadway|date=November 12, 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ZaEdieEeE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/r_ZaEdieEeE |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=February 18, 2018}}{{cbignore}}
Both platforms have brown canopies with green support columns and frames for their entire length except for a small section at either end.{{Cite web|url=http://www.subwaynut.com/bmt/myrtlej/myrtlej43.jpg|title=The doors close on a R42 J train that will have to leave first because the R160 M train must crossover the other three tracks|last=Cox|first=Jeremiah|date=July 26, 2013|website=subwaynut.com|access-date=February 18, 2018}} The station signs are in the standard black plates in white lettering.{{Cite web|url=http://www.subwaynut.com/bmt/myrtlej/myrtlej4.jpg|title=A close-up of a Myrtle Avenue column sign.|last=Cox|first=Jeremiah|date=June 25, 2008|website=subwaynut.com|access-date=February 18, 2018}}
The 1999 artwork here is called Jammin' Under the El by Verna Hart. It consists of stained glass windows on the platforms' sign structures as well as the station house depicting various scenes related to music.{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=J&artist=1&station=13|title=Myrtle Avenue Verna Hart Jammin' Under the EL, 1999|website=web.mta.info|publisher=MTA Arts & Design|language=en|access-date=February 18, 2018|archive-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090451/http://web.mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=J&artist=1&station=13|url-status=dead}}
As part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2015–2019 Capital Program, a station entrance will be rebuilt at the northwestern corner of Jefferson Street and Broadway, and a second mezzanine will be reopened.{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/15_19/agencies/t/t7041415_project_narrative.htm|title=Station Capacity Enhancements at Myrtle Avenue on the Jamaica Line|date=December 31, 2017|website=web.mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=February 18, 2018|archive-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090458/http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/15_19/agencies/t/t7041415_project_narrative.htm|url-status=dead}}https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/BMT_Nassau_Street In 2019, the MTA announced that this station would become ADA-accessible as part of the agency's 2020–2024 Capital Program.{{cite web | title=Press Release - MTA Headquarters - MTA Announces 20 Additional Subway Stations to Receive Accessibility Improvements Under Proposed 2020-2024 Capital Plan | website=MTA | date=December 19, 2019 | url=http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-announces-20-additional-subway-stations-receive-accessibility | access-date=December 24, 2019 | archive-date=March 22, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322233116/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-announces-20-additional-subway-stations-receive-accessibility | url-status=dead }}{{Clear|left}}
=Upper level=
File:Myrtle Av upper level vc.jpg
The upper level station (which was marked on signs as Broadway) opened on April 27, 1889, and created a transfer opportunity to the BMT Jamaica Line. The upper level station contained two tracks and an island platform, with stairs to both of the existing platforms on the lower level. The Myrtle Avenue upper level was extended to Wyckoff Avenue on July 21, 1889.{{cite news|title=Lost the Second Game|date=July 21, 1889|work=Brooklyn Daily Eagle|location=Brooklyn, New York|page=2}} The BMT Myrtle Avenue Line from Broadway to Bridge–Jay Streets closed on October 4, 1969, and was replaced via transfer to the B54 bus toward Jay Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thejoekorner.com/photos/nyctbmt/myrtleave/index.html|title=Service Changes For Myrtle Avenue "El" Riders|date=October 1969|website=www.thejoekorner.com|publisher=New York City Transit Authority|access-date=February 18, 2018}}
=Exits=
File:Myrtle Av JMZ sta jeh.jpg
The lower level station has an elevated station house to the west underneath the skeletal remains of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line. Two staircases from each platform go down to an elevated cross-under, where a shorter staircase on the Queens-bound side leads to the station house's waiting area. Outside the turnstile bank, there is a token booth and two staircases going down to either of the western corners at Myrtle Avenue and Broadway.{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/bkn/B5%20Bushwick_2015.pdf|title=MTA Neighborhood Maps: Bushwick|date=2015|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=July 20, 2016}}
In popular culture
In the 1990 drama Ghost, Patrick Swayze follows his killer, Rick Aviles, leaving the J train onto the station's platform and entrance.{{cite web |title=Ghost Film Locations - On the set of New York |url=http://onthesetofnewyork.com/ghost.html |website=onthesetofnewyork.com |publisher=On The Set of New York |access-date=19 April 2020}} In 1994, it was shown in the music video for Here Comes the Hotstepper by Jamaican dancehall artist Ini Kamoze.
Notes
{{reflist|group="note"}}
{{clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Myrtle Avenue (BMT Jamaica Line)}}
- Station Reporter — [https://web.archive.org/web/20141010103453/http://www.stationreporter.net/jtrain.htm J Train]
- Station Reporter — [https://web.archive.org/web/20100922060746/http://www.stationreporter.net/mxtrain.htm M Train]
- MTA's Arts For Transit — [https://web.archive.org/web/20120330102812/http://mta.info/mta/aft/permanentart/permart.html?agency=nyct&line=J&station=13&xdev=1318 Myrtle Avenue (BMT Jamaica Line)]
- [https://maps.google.com/?ll=40.696974,-73.935488&spn=0.006158,0.011061&layer=c&cbll=40.69699,-73.935376&panoid=8E4moRlCHs2lit-QAvkloA&cbp=12,250.56,,0,1.83&t=m&z=17 Myrtle Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View]
- [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6968613,-73.9350052,3a,75y,355.04h,88.64t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-w9czEkAti4o%2FWGxHNBWGfkI%2FAAAAAAAAX9o%2FB-BBkfq-EzgXZmhvvlQ7woUS42u4afwdACLIB!2e4!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2F-w9czEkAti4o%2FWGxHNBWGfkI%2FAAAAAAAAX9o%2FB-BBkfq-EzgXZmhvvlQ7woUS42u4afwdACLIB%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i8659!8i3695!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1 Platform and unused upper level from Google Maps Street View]
{{NYCS stations navbox by service|lj=y|lm=y|lz=y}}
{{NYCS stations navbox by line|jamaica=yes|myrtle=yes}}
Category:BMT Jamaica Line stations
Category:1888 establishments in New York City
Category:New York City Subway stations in Brooklyn
Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1888