20th Avenue: Serving the Bensonhurst Neighborhood in Brooklyn

The 20th Avenue station is an elevated subway station located in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. It serves as a local stop on the BMT West End Line, providing essential service to the surrounding residential community. Unlike large transfer complexes, it is a station more focused on local service within Brooklyn.

Connections and Services

The 20th Avenue station is a single elevated station and is not part of an interconnected complex with other direct subway stations:

20th Avenue (BMT West End Line)

• This station is a local stop on the BMT West End Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains of the following service:
  • D (orange)
• Main address: Intersection of 20th Avenue and 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214

Additional Services and Connections

• This station does not have direct internal connections to other subway lines.
• It offers connections to local bus services:
  • B8
  • B64 (on nearby Bath Avenue)
• Station entrances are located at the corners of 86th Street and 20th Avenue.

There are no direct transfers between different subway lines within this station; passengers needing to transfer to other lines will need to do so at other stations along the D service route.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of 20th Avenue and 86th Street, in the heart of the Bensonhurst neighborhood in Brooklyn.
• Its importance lies in being a vital transportation point for local residents, connecting them to other parts of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. It serves:

  • Bensonhurst

    • Historically known for its large Italian-American community, today it is a diverse neighborhood with a growing Asian population.
    • 86th Street, beneath the station, is an important commercial thoroughfare with shops, restaurants, and local businesses.
    • Residential areas with a mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings.

  • Local Community

    • Provides access to local schools, small parks, and community services.
    • It is essential for the daily commutes of the neighborhood’s workers.

  • Nearby Attractions

    • Adventurers Amusement Park (formerly Nellie Bly Park): A small nearby amusement park.
    • Proximity to Gravesend Bay: Although not immediately adjacent, the southern area of Bensonhurst is close to the bay.

History and Evolution

• The 20th Avenue station was inaugurated on July 29, 1916, as part of the extension of the BMT West End Line.
• As an elevated station, its structure is characteristic of many lines built in the early 20th century in the outer boroughs.
• The station was renovated between 2016 and 2018 as part of a broader project to modernize several stations on the West End Line.

Interesting Facts

• The station primarily serves the local community and does not experience the extreme passenger volume of Manhattan’s major transfer stations.
• Its elevated structure offers views of Bensonhurst’s urban environment.
• It is a key stop on the D line, providing local service in this section of Brooklyn.