Way back in 2009 the MTA released a list of the worst subway stations after assessing conditions across the city; coming in at #1 was the Seneca Avenue (M line) station in Ridgewood, Queens. At the time, the agency promised that 25 of the stations would get major overhauls sometime over the next 5 years. Well, now that number is up to 29, and allegedly work will start at some stops this year.
Since last November we've been contacting the MTA for a progress report on the repairs, sending them photos from the increasingly crumbling Seneca stop; in December we were told by the agency's press liaison Deirdre Parker: "We are working on platform edges for stations along the line. I'm checking with our design people to see if there are any plans specifically for Seneca Avenue." Despite further contact on our end, all we've heard since is radio silence.
Well, now the Daily News reports that the MTA's "Passenger Station Renewal Program" is almost sort of underway! The paper reports, "In addition to Hunters Point and Seneca, the other stations targeted in the next four years or so are: Fresh Pond Road and Forest, Knickerbocker and Central Aves. on the M line; 80th, 88th, 104th and 111th Sts. and Rockaway and Lefferts Blvds. on the A line; Ditmas and 18th Aves., Bay Parkway and Avenues I, P, U and X on the F line; Sutter, Saratoga, Rockaway, Pennsylvania and Van Siclen Aves and Junius St. on the No. 3 line; Middletown Road and Buhre, Zerega and Castle Hill Aves. on the No. 6 line."
Hurrah! Well, not so fast, they also note: "The work will inconvenience riders for extended periods of time." We've contacted the MTA for all the gritty details. In the meantime, send us photos of your own crumbling station and we'll put together an uplifting photo gallery.
UPDATE: Parker tells us, "Since the project will probably not begin until later this year, it is too early to determine what the service changes will be at this time." She is tracking down a possible start date, and we'll update when/if we hear back.
