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| Union Turnpike is Unique (Re: Segmented or closed IND mezzanines ) (521107) | |||
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Union Turnpike is Unique (Re: Segmented or closed IND mezzanines ) |
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Posted by Mitch45 on Thu Nov 22 05:54:11 2007, in response to Segmented or closed IND mezzanines, posted by G1Ravage on Wed Nov 21 06:36:49 2007. The Union Turnpike station on the F is probably the only subway station in the entire system that was intentionally built with a segmented mezzanine to accomodate a highway.The portion of the Jackie Robinson Parkway that runs through a short tunnel underneath Queens Boulevard at Union Turnpike was opened in or about 1934, before Union Turnpike was built. Since the mezzanine runs at the same level as the highway but perpendicular to it, the mezzanine design had to be split into northern and southern portions to accomodate the highway. It was in fact built that way. The City took advantage of this situation by widening the service roads of the Parkway (then called the Interborough, of course) in the area where it passes under Queens Boulevard and crosses through the mezzanine area. Rather than simply wall off the ends of the mezzanine that abutted the highway's service roads (which themselves are technically part of Union Turnpike), the planners built a rather ornate set of triple doors at each end, leading out to a set of small platforms, which themselves were handsomely adorned with ornate stones. The service roads were widened at the points where they abutted these platforms to allow cars (and taxis) on the service roads in both directions to pull over and discharge passengers, who then had immediate access to both segments of the mezzanine. This was a very handy arrangement, as passengers were able to enter the mezzanine quickly and cars did not have to get onto Queens Boulevard to discharge their passengers. These platforms were in use well into the 1990's. As Union Turnpike was my home station until 1995, I used these platforms many, many times when friends or taxis dropped me off there. Unfortunately, like many IND mezzanines were originally, they were poorly lit and eventually became havens for the homeless and criminal elements. Today, these platforms and the widened areas of the service roads are gated off, so cars can no longer pull over. The ornate doors are locked tight and the ornate stones have been left to rot. Too bad. It was a neat arrangement. |
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