75th Street–Elderts Lane: An Elevated Station on the Border of Queens and Brooklyn

The 75th Street–Elderts Lane station is an elevated New York City Subway station on the BMT Jamaica Line. It is located on the border between the neighborhoods of Woodhaven in Queens and Cypress Hills in Brooklyn. It serves as an important local access point for residents and businesses in the surrounding communities, facilitating transportation along Jamaica Avenue.

Lines and Services

The 75th Street–Elderts Lane station is a single elevated station, not a complex of multiple interconnected stations:

75th Street–Elderts Lane (Jamaica Line)

• This station is part of the elevated BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains of the following services:
  • J (brown)
  • Z (brown) (express service during peak hours in the peak direction)
• Approximate address: Jamaica Avenue and 75th Street, Woodhaven, NY 11421

Station Features

• It is a typical local elevated line station, with two side tracks and a central express track (not used for boarding at this station).
• It has two side platforms for trains in service:
  • Manhattan/Brooklyn-bound platform.
  • Jamaica Center (Queens)-bound platform.
• Station entrances are located at street level beneath the elevated structure, near the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and 75th Street (Elderts Lane).

The station allows passengers to access J and Z services, including the Z express service during peak hours, facilitating travel between Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

Importance and Location

• The station is located on Jamaica Avenue, at the intersection with 75th Street (also known as Elderts Lane), marking the boundary between Woodhaven, Queens, to the north, and Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, to the south.
• Its location makes it a vital point for local residents, connecting these residential and commercial neighborhoods with other parts of the city:

  • Woodhaven, Queens

    • A predominantly residential neighborhood with a mix of single-family homes and apartment buildings.
    • Jamaica Avenue serves as the main commercial corridor, with shops, restaurants, and local services.
    • Proximity to Forest Park, one of the largest parks in Queens.
    • Home to Neir’s Tavern, one of the oldest taverns in the city.

  • Cypress Hills, Brooklyn

    • A diverse neighborhood with a mix of residential and light industrial areas.
    • Also bordered by Jamaica Avenue and its businesses.
    • Close to Highland Park and several historic cemeteries.

  • Local Points of Interest

    • Jamaica Avenue itself, with its vibrant local commercial activity.
    • Forest Park: Offers extensive green areas, trails, sports fields, and a golf course.
    • Highland Park: Another important green space on the border of Brooklyn and Queens.

History and Evolution

• The 75th Street–Elderts Lane station was inaugurated on May 28, 1917.
• It was part of the extension of the BMT Jamaica Line from Cypress Hills to 111th Street, providing crucial rapid transit service for the development of these areas of Queens.
• Throughout its history, the station has maintained its character as a local elevated station and has received periodic maintenance and renovations to ensure its operation and safety.

Interesting Facts

• The station is a local stop for the J service all day and for the Z service during peak hours in the peak direction.
• It plays a fundamental role in connecting the outer boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn with downtown Jamaica and Lower Manhattan.
• Its unique location on the exact border between the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn makes it a singular geographical point within the subway system.