The Renewal of the Astoria Boulevard Station Renewal
Author Valentina Sanchez December 19, 2019
ASTORIA - The past two years have not been easy for construction workers or people who live at the Astoria neighborhood because the station’s renewal has caused major inconvenience.
“Great. So now every station in Astoria is partially screwed up.” commented Evan Boshi (on an article about the “ASTORIA BLVD SUBWAY CLOSURE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW), a frustrated man on March 20th, 2019.
“I live off Broadway and it is a pain!” replied Claire Leaden, an infuriated resident of Astoria.
This also affects people that live in places where they’re not doing such drastic changes like at Astoria Boulevard.
To the degree they have publicly complained, they’ve been waiting for the end of May 2020 in the way a student gets a college letter after so much hard work - as a favorable circumstance to go to college and continue pursuing their dreams.
The station is scheduled to open by the end of 2019, but elevators won't be working until the end of May 2020.
Why, then, even with all the effort and commitment put in, so many people feel like they haven’t done enough or that this is a waste of time and money?
Shella Hidayat and Lexinne Escame, two students at the The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria, take the train every day to get to school and have shared their perspectives on these renovations.
“I don’t think the investment was managed in a correct manner since the trains are not in order. But, I do think they should make elevators in every station because people might have to carry luggage and there’s no one there to help them up the stairs,” stated Shella Hidayat.
Furthermore, Lexinne Escame said “It’s frustrating for me to go to Astoria since trains are almost always taking a long time to arrive. At times, I’ve had to wait 15 minutes for a train. That isn’t the only problem though. After the long delay, once you’re on the train, it informs you that it won’t be making local stops. This causes much inconvenience to get to school or to work. Although, I do think they should add elevators to the stations. The only problem with elevators is that everyone would be hogging it.”
Contrary to this, of course, there are people who believe this is the best decision taken and this decision has been delayed for a long time. “Our subways must serve everyone, including people with disabilities, seniors and parents with strollers," City Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) said.
“The 14-month construction project at Ditmars Boulevard, along with the simultaneous closures along additional stations on the N/W line, is a slap in the face of Astorians. We deserve a reliable subway system that operates with few delays and is accessible to all," City Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) added. The Astoria Boulevard Station opened in 1917 and nothing has ever been done to upgrade it until now.
This has gotten some people thinking if they've never taken action to do something for the Astoria Boulevard station or any station on this line why would they do it now?
On the contrary, some people say this has been delayed and it's amazing that they've finally taken action to fix some issues at the stations.
The Astoria Boulevard station opened in 1917 and nobody has ever done anything to upgrade it until now.
This has gotten some people wondering if they’ve never taken action to do something for the Astoria Boulevard or the line, why would they now?
On the contrary, some people say this has been delayed and it’s amazing that they’ve finally taken action.
After all of the discussions and disagreements, what is done is done. But, only time can tell whether this was a good or bad investment.
“Great. So now every station in Astoria is partially screwed up.” commented Evan Boshi (on an article about the “ASTORIA BLVD SUBWAY CLOSURE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW), a frustrated man on March 20th, 2019.
“I live off Broadway and it is a pain!” replied Claire Leaden, an infuriated resident of Astoria.
This also affects people that live in places where they’re not doing such drastic changes like at Astoria Boulevard.
To the degree they have publicly complained, they’ve been waiting for the end of May 2020 in the way a student gets a college letter after so much hard work - as a favorable circumstance to go to college and continue pursuing their dreams.
The station is scheduled to open by the end of 2019, but elevators won't be working until the end of May 2020.
Why, then, even with all the effort and commitment put in, so many people feel like they haven’t done enough or that this is a waste of time and money?
Shella Hidayat and Lexinne Escame, two students at the The Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria, take the train every day to get to school and have shared their perspectives on these renovations.
“I don’t think the investment was managed in a correct manner since the trains are not in order. But, I do think they should make elevators in every station because people might have to carry luggage and there’s no one there to help them up the stairs,” stated Shella Hidayat.
Furthermore, Lexinne Escame said “It’s frustrating for me to go to Astoria since trains are almost always taking a long time to arrive. At times, I’ve had to wait 15 minutes for a train. That isn’t the only problem though. After the long delay, once you’re on the train, it informs you that it won’t be making local stops. This causes much inconvenience to get to school or to work. Although, I do think they should add elevators to the stations. The only problem with elevators is that everyone would be hogging it.”
Contrary to this, of course, there are people who believe this is the best decision taken and this decision has been delayed for a long time. “Our subways must serve everyone, including people with disabilities, seniors and parents with strollers," City Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) said.
“The 14-month construction project at Ditmars Boulevard, along with the simultaneous closures along additional stations on the N/W line, is a slap in the face of Astorians. We deserve a reliable subway system that operates with few delays and is accessible to all," City Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) added. The Astoria Boulevard Station opened in 1917 and nothing has ever been done to upgrade it until now.
This has gotten some people thinking if they've never taken action to do something for the Astoria Boulevard station or any station on this line why would they do it now?
On the contrary, some people say this has been delayed and it's amazing that they've finally taken action to fix some issues at the stations.
The Astoria Boulevard station opened in 1917 and nobody has ever done anything to upgrade it until now.
This has gotten some people wondering if they’ve never taken action to do something for the Astoria Boulevard or the line, why would they now?
On the contrary, some people say this has been delayed and it’s amazing that they’ve finally taken action.
After all of the discussions and disagreements, what is done is done. But, only time can tell whether this was a good or bad investment.