| Jamaica (lirr Station) |
Article Index for Jamaica |
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Information AboutJamaica (lirr Station) |
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Jamaica Station (often referred to simply as "Jamaica") is a major hub of the Long Island Rail Road , located in Jamaica, Queens , in New York City . Jamaica is the largest transit hub on Long Island and is one of the busiest railroad stations in the New York City area—behind Pennsylvania Station , Grand Central Terminal , and Secaucus Junction —with over 1,000 trains passing through it every day. Jamaica has a direct rail connection to John F. Kennedy International Airport via AirTrain JFK . There are also elevator connections to the Archer Avenue Line of the New York City Subway at Sutphin Boulevard-JFK Airport ( ), directly below the station. Numerous bus routes stop just outside the station. All LIRR branches and lines, except for the Port Washington Branch , pass through Jamaica Station, and all share the same Right-of-way west of the hub in what is called the City Terminal Zone . The main track leads to Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan , while the Atlantic Avenue Branch diverges along Atlantic Avenue to Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn . East of Jamaica, tracks diverge and are routed along one of the Main Line branches. The main entrance to the station, where tickets may be purchased and where waiting areas are located, is a 100-year old building which also serves as the offices and headquarters of the Long Island Rail Road Company. EXPANSION In 2001 , the MTA started major renovations to Jamaica Station to vastly expand the station. They are scheduled for completion in 2006 . The renovations will make Jamaica Station more modern and efficient and will provide easier access to all eight tracks at the station. Additionally, the new renovations provide an easier link to the New York City subway and to AirTrain. Two major transit expansions in active planning will, if completed, increase Jamaica's importance as a gateway to Manhattan: the East Side Access project would create a new Manhattan terminal at Grand Central, and the Lower Manhattan-Jamaica/JFK Transportation Project would use the Atlantic Avenue Branch and a new tunnel under the East River to connect to a new train station at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub site with JFK Airport and Jamaica. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS |
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