A Fresh Look At The Mets-Willets Point Station
Just a short time ago, MTA New York City Transit issued a lengthy press release. The release was to talk about the fresh new look for the Mets-Willets Point Station. Here are the complete details:
Take me out to the ballgame has a whole new meaning for Mets fans this season as their favorite team takes to the field in a brand new ball park. Transit-savvy fans, however, will be impressed before they even get to the gate with the visible improvements made to the newly-named Mets-Willets Point Station, including the addition of accessibility features that make traveling to Flushing Meadows easier for everyone.
The Flushing Line’s Mets-Willets Point subway station has been substantially refurbished with $15 million of investments aimed at improving station appearance while also introducing accessible features. Customers stepping off the 7 train will immediately notice that the station’s three platforms have been renewed with the installation of new rubbing boards and new ADA platform edge tactile strips. The platform concrete slabs and canopy column bases have all been repaired while the platform stairways have been upgraded with new treads and railing. Additionally, the entire station has been freshly painted.
“While this is not a station rehabilitation, we have taken the opportunity to freshen the station, add some important ADA features and work cooperatively with the New York City Parks Department to improve access,” said NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr. “With the changes, we’ve made taking the train to the game an even smarter, environmentally sustainable alternative to driving.”
NYC Transit has invested $4 million to install a ramp which will provide partial access to the station used by an average of 2,000 riders in 2008, many of whom attended Mets games. “The Mets new ballpark has many improvements for fans with disabilities, and we have been eager to find a way to begin providing accessibility at the station at least during game days,” said Roberts. “With the addition of this ramp, we have been able to take the first step into making this station at least partly accessible,” added Roberts. The Mets-Willets Point station is not one of NYC Transit’s eighty-five accessible stations, and is not on the list of 100 key stations where ADA improvements are scheduled to be made by 2020.
In the initial phase of making the station accessible, ADA features have been added to the Flushing/Main Street-bound local platform. The two existing wooden elevated walkways (ramps) connecting the Flushing-bound local platform to the station mezzanine were modified to make them ADA compliant; furthermore, a new ADA ramp was built connecting the existing ramps to the sidewalk on the south side of Roosevelt Avenue. The existing ramps connect to the station mezzanine and not to the street level, necessitating the construction of the new ramp, which was built in the adjacent parking lot belonging to the New York City Parks Department. The two existing ramps also belong to the Parks Department as well as the new ramp.
The Parks Department will own and be responsible for maintenance of all the ramps. An existing intermediate mezzanine landing was widened at the point where the lower ramp connects to the station and NYC Transit rebuilt street stair S1 (from the landing to the street). We have also installed a new street stair S3 connecting the mezzanine to the north sidewalk of Roosevelt Ave. In addition, a Part-time ADA control area will be installed at the Flushing-bound local platform where it connects to the upper ramp.
The Mets have replaced the old “rotunda” stair with a new wide stairway connecting the station to the new Mets Plaza. It is intended to connect directly to the mezzanine level in the future whenever we rehabilitate and make the station fully ADA accessible. For now, it connects to an intermediate level that leads via interior station non-ADA ramps to the Manhattan-bound platform.
For persons with disabilities, there are some important things to note in preparation for the trip to the Mets-Willets Point station, which is accessible only on game days and for special events.
Customers needing to use the station’s accessible features must board the 7 local. Green lights illuminated in the shape of a circle around the 7 route marker identify the train as a local. Access is available from 90 minutes before until 90 minutes after baseball games and selected special events.
ADA access to the station is from Flushing-bound trains only. MTA Long Island Rail Road customers must transfer at Woodside to/from the 7 to the game.
To the game:
• Exit the train through the right side doors (when facing the front of the train).
• Take ramps to Roosevelt Avenue exit.
• Cross Roosevelt Avenue at traffic signal on Roosevelt Avenue west of the station.
From the game:• Cross Roosevelt Avenue and take ramps to the Flushing-bound local platform.
• Take Flushing-bound train one stop to Main Street.
• At Main St, stay on board or transfer across the platform to the next departing Manhattan-bound train.
In addition to the ramp, the Q48 bus will continue to provide accessible service along Roosevelt Avenue from the Flushing-Main Street station to the stadium. And we have also arranged for designated Access-A-Ride stops directly in front of the new stadium entrance. NYC Transit personnel will be on-site to provide assistance. For assistance with planning your trip, call the following numbers: Accessible Travel Information – 718-596-8585 or (TTY) 718-596-8273 Mon – Fri: 6 AM to 11 PM, Sat – Sun 6 AM to 10 PM. Riders can also plan an accessible itinerary on line by visiting Trip Planner.
I unfortunately was unable to attend the first ever game at Citi Field as I had anticipated. However I do look forward to catching a few games although I am a born & raised Yankees fan. I look forward to checking out the revamped station.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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