LIC subway station opens

Queens Times Ledger quoted Senator Gianaris on the opening of the Court Square Station Complex.

MTA officials and legislators cut the ribbon Friday on a project that could reduce some straphangers’ MetroCard costs by half.

Three stations located in the shadow of Long Island City’s 50-story Citigroup Building, at 1 Court Square, were combined into one in a recently completed $47.6 million project. The new station, known as Court Square, will allow commuters traveling on the No. 7, E, G or M subway lines to transfer without having to swipe their cards again.

“The creation of this complex will facilitate travel for customers heading to and from Queens and give choices in the case of a disruption on any of the lines,” NYC Transit Authority President Thomas Prendergast said in a statement.

Completed to fulfill a zoning requirement after the development of a 15-story office building north of the subway stops, the transfer cost $47.6 million. NYC Transit covered $13.9 million of the cost while the rest was paid for by Citigroup.

“The public-private partnership between the MTA and Citi should serve as a model for future projects during these difficult budget times,” state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), who attended the ribbon cutting, said in a statement. “I am thankful to everyone who played a part in making this announcement a reality.”

Read the full article here.