Editing IRT Flushing Line (section)

=== Early 21st century upgrades ===

====Automation of the line====
[[File:R188 7 train.jpg|thumb|The automation of the Flushing Line required the purchase of the [[R188 (New York City Subway car)|R188]] orders on the 7 route, which runs on the Flushing Line]]
In January 2012, the MTA selected [[Thales Group|Thales]] for a $343 million contract to set up a [[communications-based train control]] (CBTC) system as part of the plan to automate the line. This was the second installation of CBTC, following [[Signaling of the New York City Subway#Canarsie Line CBTC|a successful implementation on the BMT Canarsie Line]]. The total cost was $550 million for the signals and other trackside infrastructure, and $613.7 million for CBTC-compliant rolling stock.<ref name="rpa">{{cite web|url=http://library.rpa.org/pdf/RPA-Moving-Forward.pdf|title=Moving Forward: Accelerating the Transition to Communications-Based Train Control for New York City's Subways|website=rpa.org|publisher=[[Regional Plan Association]]|date=May 2014|access-date=September 12, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091527/http://library.rpa.org/pdf/RPA-Moving-Forward.pdf}}</ref> The safety assessment at system level was performed using the [[formal method]] [[Event-B]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Guéry|first1=Jérôme|last2=Reque|first2=Antoine|last3=Burdy|first3=Lilian|last4=Sabatier|first4=Denis|title=Abstract State Machines, Alloy, B, VDM, and Z |chapter=Formal Proofs for the NYCT Line 7 (Flushing) Modernization Project |date=2012|volume=7316|pages=369–372|doi=10.1007/978-3-642-30885-7_34|series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science|issn=0302-9743|isbn=978-3-642-30884-0}}</ref>

The MTA chose the Flushing Line for the next implementation of CBTC because it is also a self-contained line with no direct connections to other subway lines currently in use. Funding was allocated in the 2010–2014 capital budget for CBTC installation on the Flushing Line, with scheduled installation completion in 2016.<ref name="page11">[http://mta.info/mta/pdf/2010-14questions_and_answers_v2.pdf Pages 11–12] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302010603/http://mta.info/mta/pdf/2010-14questions_and_answers_v2.pdf |date=March 2, 2012 }}</ref> The [[R188 (New York City Subway car)|R188]] cars were ordered so the line would have compatible rolling stock. CBTC on the line will allow the {{NYCS trains|Flushing|type=service}} to run 7% more service, or 2 more trains per hour (tph) during peak hours (before retrofit, it ran 27 tph).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capital/infra_alt.html|title=MTA {{!}} Capital Programs Service Reliability|website=web.mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|language=en|access-date=September 3, 2017}}</ref> However, the system had been retrofitted to operate at 33 tph even without CBTC.<ref name=rpa/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NbYqQSQcE2MC|title=Rail Transit Capacity|access-date=May 20, 2014|isbn=978-0-309-05718-9|last1=Parkinson|first1=Tom|last2=Fisher|first2=Ian|year=1996|publisher=Transportation Research Board }}</ref>

The first train of R188 cars began operating in passenger service on November 9, 2013.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|last=Mann|first=Ted|date=November 18, 2013|title=MTA Tests New Subway Trains on Flushing Line|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2013/11/18/mta-tests-new-subway-trains-on-flushing-line/|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=November 19, 2013}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2013/11/18/new-subway-cars-being-put-test|title=MTA – New Subway Cars Being Put to the Test|work=mta.info|access-date=July 2, 2018|archive-date=May 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515152907/http://www.mta.info/news/2013/11/18/new-subway-cars-being-put-test|url-status=dead}}</ref> Test runs of R188s in automated mode started in late 2014.<ref name=rpa/> However, the CBTC retrofit date was later pushed back to 2017<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|url=https://www.amny.com/transit/7-train-signal-upgrade-still-expected-to-be-completed-in-2017-mta-says-1.14080694|title=7 train signal upgrade on track for 2017: MTA|last=Barone|first=Vincent|date=August 21, 2017|work=am New York|access-date=August 23, 2017|language=en}}</ref> or 2018<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/nyregion/subway-signals-disruption.html|title=Fixing the Subway Requires Pain. But How Much, and for How Long?|last1=Santora|first1=Marc|date=August 21, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 23, 2017|last2=Tarbell|first2=Elizabeth|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> after a series of problems that workers encountered during installation, including problems with the R188s.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":1" /> The project also went over budget, costing $405 million for a plan originally marked at $265.6 million.<ref name=":02" /> The whole line was cutover to CBTC operation on November 26, 2018, with the completion of the segment from Hudson Yards to the north of Grand Central.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/181113_1400_CPOC.pdf|title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting November 2018|date=November 2018|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=November 26, 2018}}</ref>

Completely independent of the CBTC installation is the 7 Subway Extension, which features both CBTC signals and [[Signalling block system|fixed-block signaling]]. The extension also increased line capacity.<ref name=rpa/>

====Extension westward====
{{Main|7 Subway Extension|34th Street–Hudson Yards (IRT Flushing Line)}}
[[File:7Line 8313 (6801443789).jpg|thumb|Construction of the 7 Subway Extension]]

In the 1990s, the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) began exploring the possibility of a Flushing Line extension to New Jersey.<ref name="olympic2012-won">{{cite web |url=https://wagner.nyu.edu/files/faculty/publications/Olympics_in_NYC_2012_REPORT_110711.pdf |title=HOW NEW YORK CITY WON THE OLYMPICS |publisher=[[New York University]] |work=Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management, Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service |date=November 2011 |access-date=September 11, 2015 |author=Mitchell L. Moss}}</ref> In 2001, a business and civic group convened by Senator [[Charles Schumer]] argued that a proposed westward extension of the Midtown office district could not be accomplished without a subway extension, saying:<ref name="future2001">{{cite book |title=Preparing for the Future: A Commercial Development Strategy for New York City: Final Report |publisher=Group of 35 |year=2001 |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/118950748/Group-of-35-Report-June-2001 |access-date=September 12, 2015 |page=56}}</ref>

{{blockquote|The long blocks along the avenues make the walk as long as 20 minutes to the westernmost parts of the area. In addition, there is no convenient link from [[Grand Central Terminal|Grand Central Station]] or elsewhere on the east side of Manhattan, making the Far West Side a difficult commute for workers from parts of [[Manhattan]], [[Queens]], [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester]] and [[Connecticut]].<ref name=future2001/>}}

An extension of the Flushing Line was then proposed as part of the [[New York City bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="hydc2">{{cite web |url=http://www.hydc.org/html/project/subway.shtml |title=No. 7 Subway Extension |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Hudson Yards Development Corporation |access-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209053224/http://www.hydc.org/html/project/subway.shtml |archive-date=February 9, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="hp20130207">{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/07/nyc-subway-underground-rail-second-avenue-subway_n_2637601.html |title=NYC Transit Projects: East Side Access, Second Avenue Subway, and 7 Train Extension |last1=Dobnik |first1=Verena |date=February 7, 2013 |website=Huffington Post |access-date=July 24, 2013}}</ref> The City wanted to get funding before July 2005, at which time the [[International Olympic Committee]] would vote on funding, but due to budget shortfalls, the MTA could not pay to fund the extension.<ref name="olympic2012-won"/> After New York City lost their Olympic bid, the [[government of New York City]] devised a rezoning plan for the Hudson Yards area and proposed two new subway stations to serve that area.<ref>{{cite web |title=New York Comes in a Disappointing Fourth Place |website=WNYC |last=Bernstein |first=Andrea |date=July 6, 2005 |url=https://www.wnyc.org/story/84177-new-york-comes-in-a-disappointing-fourth-place/ |access-date=September 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/hyards/hy_chap11_g2_fgeis_final.pdf |title=NO. 7 SUBWAY EXTENSION-HUDSON YARDS REZONING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |publisher=nyc.gov |access-date=September 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215819/http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/hyards/hy_chap11_g2_fgeis_final.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 }}</ref> The subway extension was approved<ref name="olympic2012-won"/> following the successful rezoning of about 60 blocks from 28th to 43rd Streets, which became the [[Hudson Yards Redevelopment|Hudson Yards]] neighborhood.<ref>{{cite news |title=What Rises in the West? Uncertainty |first=Joyce |last=Purnick |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/nyregion/20matters.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=January 2, 2005 |access-date=March 6, 2010}}</ref> In October 2007, the MTA awarded a $1.145 billion contract to build an extension from Times Square to Hudson Yards.<ref name="ny1-2007-10-25"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://newyork.construction.com/projects/TopProjects06-08/1-5.pdf |title=Top New York Projects |date=June 2008 |page=27 |work=New York Construction |access-date=February 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708191505/http://newyork.construction.com/projects/TopProjects06-08/1-5.pdf |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |publisher=[[Mayor of New York City|New York City Mayor's Office]] |date=December 3, 2007 |title=Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Spitzer Announce Start of Construction on #7 Subway Extension |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2007b/pr437-07.html |access-date=February 28, 2010}}</ref>

There is one new station at 34th Street and Eleventh Avenue to serve Hudson Yards. The MTA originally planned for [[10th Avenue (IRT Flushing Line)|another station at 10th Avenue and 41st Street]] but eliminated it due to lack of funding.<ref name="ny1-2007-10-25">{{Cite news|title=Transit Board Approves Funding For 7 Line Extension |url=http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=74957 |work=[[NY1]] |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325054207/http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=5&aid=74957 |archive-date=March 25, 2008 }}</ref> The extension's opening was delayed several times due to issues in installing the custom-made [[incline elevator]]s for the 34th Street station.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/trans/162481/mta-s-7-line-extension-project-pushed-back-six-months|title=MTA's 7 Line Extension Project Pushed Back Six Months|work=[[NY1]]|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=June 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711160459/http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/162481/mta-s-7-line-extension-project-pushed-back-six-months|archive-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/realestate/commercial/no_train_mos_late_BEjKsCL51LL06ZSZ58ZOiI|title=No. 7 Train 6 Mos. Late|newspaper=[[New York Post]]|first=Steve|last=Cuozzo|date=June 5, 2012|access-date=June 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Fitzsimmons|first1=Emma G.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/24/nyregion/more-delays-for-no-7-subway-line-extension.html?_r=0|title=More Delays for No. 7 Subway Line Extension|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 24, 2015|access-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref> The extension eventually opened on September 13, 2015.<ref name="NYTimes-Station-Opens-2015">{{cite news|last=Tangel|first=Andrew|title=New Subway Station Opens on NYC's Far West Side|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=September 13, 2015|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-subway-station-opens-on-nycs-far-west-side-1442171470|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> The 34th Street–Hudson Yards station's design has been compared to that of [[Washington Metro]] stations,<ref name="Hyperallergic 2015">{{cite web | title=Various Visions of the Future in NYC's First New Subway Station in 25 Years | website=Hyperallergic | last=Meier | first=Allison | date=September 15, 2015 | url=https://hyperallergic.com/236806/various-visions-of-the-future-in-nycs-first-new-subway-station-in-25-years/ | access-date=September 17, 2015}}</ref> or to those of stations along London's [[Jubilee Line Extension]].<ref name="curbed 20150921">{{cite web| title=A Tour of NYC's Newest Subway Station With Its Architect | website=Curbed NY | last=Lange | first=Alexandra | date=September 21, 2015 | url=https://ny.curbed.com/archives/2015/09/21/a_tour_of_nycs_newest_subway_station_with_its_architect.php | access-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name="inhabitat 20120119">{{cite web |url=http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-york-citys-7-line-extension-is-ahead-of-schedule-under-budget/ |title=New York City's 7 Line Extension is Ahead of Schedule & Under Budget |work=Inhabitat |date=January 19, 2012 |access-date=May 13, 2014 |author=Coen, Amanda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301001716/http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-york-citys-7-line-extension-is-ahead-of-schedule-under-budget/ |archive-date=March 1, 2014 }}</ref>

====Station renovations====
In early 2012, the [[45th Road–Court House Square station]] was closed for a complete renovation, which included the addition of elevators and a connection to the [[Court Square–23rd Street station]] complex.<ref name="MTA-IRTCourtSq-Apr22012">{{cite news|title=Court Square on the No.7 Line Re-Opens|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2012/04/02/court-square-no7-line-re-opens|access-date=July 28, 2016|work=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|date=April 2, 2012|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022211010/http://www.mta.info/news/2012/04/02/court-square-no7-line-re-opens|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, several stations along the line, including Vernon Boulevard–Jackson Avenue, Queensboro Plaza, 33rd Street, and 46th Street, are slated to receive elevators as part of the 2020–2024 MTA Capital Program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mta.info/news/2018/04/26/funding-subway-station-ada-accessibility-approved|title=Funding For Subway Station ADA-Accessibility Approved|date=April 26, 2018|website=www.mta.info|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428093833/http://www.mta.info/news/2018/04/26/funding-subway-station-ada-accessibility-approved|archive-date=April 28, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2018}}</ref>

As part of the 2015–2019 Capital Program, the MTA would renovate the 52nd, 61st, 69th, 82nd, 103rd and 111th Streets stations, a project that has been delayed for several years. Conditions at these stations were among the worst of all stations in the subway system.<ref>{{cite web | title=MTA To Overhaul Six Stations on the 7 Line, Currently in Design Phase | website=Sunnyside Post | last=Murray | first=Christian | date=November 19, 2019 | url=https://sunnysidepost.com/mta-to-overhaul-six-stations-on-the-7-line-currently-in-design-phase | access-date=April 29, 2020}}</ref> Work was supposed to begin in mid-2020 but was delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in New York City]].<ref name="Sunnyside Post 2021">{{cite web | title=MTA's Plan To Overhaul Six Stations on 7 Line is Moving Forward | website=Sunnyside Post | date=July 6, 2021 | url=https://sunnysidepost.com/mtas-plan-to-overhaul-six-stations-on-7-line-is-moving-forward | access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> The MTA hired [[Judlau Contracting]] as the contractor for the project; in March 2023, Judlau leased space near the [[82nd Street–Jackson Heights station|82nd Street station]] for a construction office.<ref name="Hallum 2023">{{cite web | last=Hallum | first=Mark | title=Judlau Contracting Leases 14K SF for Jackson Heights Office | website=Commercial Observer | date=March 14, 2023 | url=https://commercialobserver.com/2023/03/judlau-contracting-lease-rockfarmer/ | access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref><ref name="Jackson Heights Post 2023">{{cite web | title=MTA project to renovate five 7 train subway stations draws near as contractor leases command center in Jackson Heights | website=Jackson Heights Post | date=March 17, 2023 | url=https://jacksonheightspost.com/mta-renovate-7-train-stations-command-center-jackson-heights | access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> {{As of|March 2023}}, the MTA planned to begin renovating the 61st, 82nd, and 111th Street stations in 2023; the 52nd and 69th Street stations in 2024; and the 103rd Street station in 2025.<ref>{{cite web | title=Improving the 7 Line | website=MTA | date=March 9, 2023 | url=https://new.mta.info/project/flushing-line | access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref>