7 Train Extension to Hudson Yards Finally Welcomes Riders

New York City's newest subway station—its 469th!—opened for business Sunday afternoon, as the 7 line extension at 34 St–Hudson Yards welcomed its first, long overdue riders. Crowds ran to be among the first to take a train from the station, which is the new terminus of 7 line. "This is really a monumental day for this city," said Mayor Bill de Blasio of the first far West Side station's opening. "We believe this city can, and will, and must grow." The MTA predicts that this will be the busiest single-line station in the system.

The station opened to the public at about 1 p.m. and the first train to Times Square–42nd St departed at 1:07 p.m—and we doubt that this many people have ever been this excited to be on a subway. The trip to Times Square took about three minutes and before a train back to Hudson Yards arrived, another one from Hudson Yards was in the station.

The new station itself—designed by Dattner Architects with above-ground design by Toshiko Mori Architects and landscape design by Michael Van Valkenburgh—is extremely clean and bright. The brand-new station comes with a brand-new piece from the MTA Arts for Transit program, a glass mosaic artist Xenobia Bailey called Funktional Vibrations. A brochure and pins based on the work were handed out, as were new subway maps featuring the new station. Most of the clocks display 12-hour time, but a large one in the center of the platform is in 24-hour time. Surface buildings provide ventilation to the station, which is 125 feet below surface level. And the elevators from the turnstile level are funicular, adding a cool effect.

· All 7 Train Extension coverage [Curbed]