Briarwood: A Key Station in the Heart of Queens

Briarwood station is a subway station located in the Briarwood neighborhood, in the borough of Queens, New York. It serves as an important access point to the IND Queens Boulevard Line, connecting residents with Manhattan and other parts of Queens. Its location near major thoroughfares makes it an essential transportation hub in the area.

Connections and Services

Briarwood station is part of the IND Queens Boulevard Line and operates as follows:

Briarwood Station (Queens Boulevard Line)

• This station serves the IND Queens Boulevard Line of the New York City Subway.
• It is served by trains of the following services:
  • E (blue)
  • F (orange)
  • <F> (orange, diamond)
• Main entrance address: Intersection of Queens Boulevard and Main Street/Van Wyck Expressway, Briarwood, Queens, NY

Service Details

• The station primarily operates as a local station on the four-track line.
• The services that stop here are:
  • E (blue): Local service (except late nights).
  • F / <F> (orange): Local service (all times; service during peak hours in the peak direction).
• Entrances to this station are located along Queens Boulevard.

Although the station has express tracks that run beneath the local platforms, express trains do not normally stop here, meaning the station primarily functions with local service.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Queens Boulevard, Main Street, and the entrance to the Van Wyck Expressway, in the Briarwood neighborhood of Queens.
• Its location makes it a key access point for the neighborhood and nearby destinations such as:

  • Briarwood Neighborhood

    • Predominantly residential area with access to local businesses.
    • Close to Archbishop Molloy High School.
    • Near the Robert A. Van Wyck Houses housing complex.
    • Access to offices and businesses on Queens Boulevard.

  • Transportation Connections

    • Proximity to the interchange of Van Wyck Expressway, Grand Central Parkway, and Jackie Robinson Parkway.
    • MTA local bus stops connecting to other areas of Queens.

  • Nearby Points of Interest

    • Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (accessible via bus connection or a short subway ride).
    • John F. Kennedy International Airport (accessible via connection with AirTrain JFK at Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue).

History and Evolution

• The station opened on April 24, 1937, as ‘Van Wyck Boulevard’.
• It was renamed ‘Briarwood–Van Wyck Boulevard’ in 1951 and finally ‘Briarwood’ in 1998 to better reflect the neighborhood’s name.
• Although initially designed with potential for express service, it has operated primarily as a local station since shortly after its opening.

Interesting Facts

• The station is vital for residents of the Briarwood neighborhood and surrounding areas, providing direct subway access.
• Its proximity to major thoroughfares makes it a relevant transportation hub in Queens, especially for drivers.
• It is an important station on the IND Queens Boulevard Line, one of the main arteries of the subway system in the borough of Queens.