Elmhurst station (LIRR)

The Elmhurst station was a station of the Port Washington Branch of the Long Island Rail Road. It was located on Broadway between Cornish and Whitney Avenues in the Elmhurst section of Queens, New York City. In 2014, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) had proposed to rebuild the station.[1] As of 2023, only a preliminary design study is funded,[2] with construction being considered for a future MTA capital program.[3]

Elmhurst
Site of the former Elmhurst station on Broadway across from Cornish Avenue. Outlines in the concrete mark the location of a former entrance stair, and some platform support members remain.
General information
LocationBroadway between Whitney and Cornish Avenues.
Elmhurst, Queens, New York City
Coordinates40°44′29″N 73°52′45.8″W
Owned byLong Island Rail Road
Line(s)Port Washington Branch
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Other information
Station codeELM
Fare zone1
History
Opened1855 (NY&F)
ClosedJanuary 22, 1985
Rebuilt1888, 1927
ElectrifiedYes
Previous namesNewtown (1855–1897)
Former services
Preceding station Long Island Rail Road Following station
Winfield Junction
toward Penn Station or Grand Central
 Port Washington Branch Corona
toward Port Washington

History

19th and 20th century stations

The first depot opened as Newtown in 1855 by the Flushing Railroad,[4] and was demolished in 1888. The second depot opened around December 1888, was renamed Elmhurst in June 1897, had high platforms constructed in 1912, and was demolished around 1927. The elevated third and most recent depot opened in 1927 and was finally closed on January 22, 1985, being demolished shortly after.[5] It stood on the east side of Broadway, a block south of the Elmhurst Avenue subway station.

21st century revival

In March 2012, the Long Island Rail Road and lawmakers announced they were considering building a new station at Elmhurst to restore service to the area, at an estimated cost of $20 to $30 million.[6] The 2015–2019 MTA capital program initially included $40 million to design and construct the new station, which was proposed to be in the same location as the old one.[1] However, in a 2017 amendment,[7] the agency postponed the construction of the new station indefinitely, only including $3 million to fund station design.[8]

In 2022, as part of its 20-year needs assessment, the MTA proposed reviving plans for the station and funding construction in a future capital program. This will be evaluated for funding on a "level playing field" with other potential projects.[3] In February 2023, Congresswoman Grace Meng of New York's 6th congressional district announced her renewed effort to reopen the station, sending a letter to LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi. The letter received seven signatures from Meng's colleagues,[9] who cited providing more "accessible modes of public transportation" and relieving crowding on the nearby Flushing Line as justifications for returning the station to service.[10]

1891 map of Elmhurst station, when it was still called Newtown station

Station layout
  ■ Port Washington Branch does not stop here (Woodside)
  ■ Port Washington Branch does not stop here (Mets – Willets Point)

The Elmhurst station was built on ground level, later raised onto an embankment traversing Broadway past Whitney Avenue. The station had a two side platforms and a pedestrian underpass connecting the intersection of Ketcham Place and 43rd Avenue with the intersection of Dongan Avenue and 88th Street. The underpass remains open today. Additionally, there was an entrance to the Port Washington-bound platform near the corner of Cornish Avenue and Broadway. Additionally, there was a freight loading area near the Durkee Spice Factory (now the new Elmhurst Educational Complex) where freight would be unloaded.[11]

References
  1. "MTA Capital Program 2015-2019" (PDF). Metropolitan Transit Authority. September 23, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2015. New LIRR Stations - Elmhurst and Republic - $45 million: These projects will advance two new LIRR stations – Elmhurst, on the Port Washington Branch in Queens, and Republic, on the Main Line in Suffolk County. A new Elmhurst station will provide commuter railroad service to this vibrant community. Proposed station elements for both locations include two new 12-car platforms, along with staircases, platform railings, platform shelters, ticket vending machines, as well as lighting, communication and security systems, and site improvements. Both stations will be fully ADA compliant, with elevator service at Elmhurst Station and ADA ramps at Republic. This proposed program includes the environmental review, design and construction of Elmhurst along with environmental review and design of Republic, supporting station construction in a future capital program.
  2. Barca, Christopher (February 15, 2018). "Elmhurst LIRR stop still a long way off". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  3. "MTA's 2025-2044 20-Year Needs Assessment". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2022. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  4. "North Shore Railroad". Arrt's Arrchives. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  5. "LIRR Station History" (PDF). TrainsAreFun.com. February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  6. Trapasso, Clare (March 15, 2012). "Queens lawmakers urge LIRR to reopen Elmhurst station". Daily News. New York. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  7. Fitzsimmons, Emma G. (May 24, 2017). "M.T.A. Adds Funding for Expansion Projects Rather Than Subway Fixes". The New York Times. New York. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  8. "MTA Capital Program 2015-2019" (PDF). Metropolitan Transit Authority. July 31, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018. Three station projects will be progressing as design only efforts within this Capital Program: Babylon Station Platform Replacement, Hunterspoint Avenue Station Renewal, and Elmhurst Station – New Station. Project budgets are decreasing by $79 million and project construction will occur in the next capital program.
  9. Meng, Grace (February 2, 2023). "Letter to Interim President Rinaldi" (PDF). Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  10. "MENG RENEWS EFFORT TO REOPEN LIRR STATION IN ELMHURST, QUEENS". Congresswoman Grace Meng. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  11. "[Map of property in Elmhurst between Laurel Hill Boulevard, Broadway, Cornish Street, Queens Boulevard, and 19th Street (now 45th Avenue, Broadway, Cornish Avenue, Queens Boulevard, and 19th Street (now 76th Street)]". Queens Public Library. 1920. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
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