Rahul Somvanshi
A new underground passageway connecting the Flushing Line (7 train) with the Lexington Avenue Line (4, 5, and 6 trains) has opened at Grand Central Station, aiming to reduce congestion for the 150,000 daily commuters who transfer between these lines.
The passageway includes a new staircase to the Flushing Line platform and 25% wider existing staircases. This improvement is part of the larger Grand Central-42 Street Circulations Improvement Project.
“A thousand tons of dirt and 140 feet of Manhattan Schist couldn’t get in the way of another on-time and under-budget MTA capital project,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber at the February 25 opening. “We are blasting through bedrock and red tape to deliver more for New Yorkers.”
Engineering Achievement Below Manhattan
Construction crews accomplished a significant engineering feat by blasting through 1,000 tons of rock and dirt. Workers descended a 55-foot shaft and blasted 140 feet across Manhattan bedrock using “controlled, low-velocity explosions” — a technique never before used in subway construction.
“This area didn’t exist a year ago,” Lieber noted, adding that the innovative construction method allowed all services at Grand Central to continue operating during the project.
Perhaps most remarkably, the MTA completed the construction without a single service disruption, maintaining normal operations throughout the terminal while work progressed beneath it.
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Funding and Economic Impact
The $74.2 million project created more than 250 jobs and was funded through the East Midtown Rezoning plan adopted by the New York City Council. This plan allows property rent revenues to fund transit improvements.
“New York is home to an incredibly advanced and innovative transit system — and we’re always looking to push the bounds even further,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The new passageway will improve the connectivity and flow of traffic through Grand Central.”
Art Preservation and Additional Improvements
As part of the station improvements, the MTA restored artwork along the platform. Artist Christopher Sproat’s functional sculpture titled “V-Beam,” which was installed in 2000, was cleaned, re-lit and retrofitted to accommodate the new stairs.
The entire Grand Central-42 Street Circulations Improvement Project, scheduled for completion later this year, will include:
- Replacement of eight escalators
- A new fare control area
- New wayfinding, lighting, and signage
- Architectural improvements on the mezzanine
- Accessibility upgrades at the 42 St-Bryant Park station
- Retail upgrades
- Utility and fire alarm system upgrades
Community Response
Grand Central Partnership President and CEO Fred Cerullo welcomed the completion of the passageway: “The much-anticipated completion of this new Flushing Line passageway and staircase is welcome news for the half million subway riders who travel daily on the 7 — many of whom begin or end their daily commute at Grand Central-42 St.”
MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer emphasized the operational achievement: “The new passageway and widened staircases will greatly improve passenger circulation for hundreds of thousands of daily riders at one of the busiest transfer points in our system. Our team delivered this project on time and under budget.”
New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow added that the “critical station upgrades, security updates, and state of good repair work will only improve the already well performing 7 Line.”
For the 480,000 daily customers who use Grand Central Station, including the 150,000 who transfer between the 7 train and the 4, 5, and 6 lines each day, this improvement offers a more efficient commute through one of New York City’s busiest transit hubs.
