Below boulevard and expressway sits the
subway. Back in the 1930's when the Independent subway reached
Jamaica, the future expressway was still a boulevard, essentially
continuing Main Street's right of way down towards the wastelands
of Idlewild, later to become JFK Airport. All in all, Van Wyck
was a boulevard for approximately the first 15 years of the subway's
existance. The NY Transit Authority, however, has a long history
of denying reality, and for over 50 years now continues to insist
that the third most despised expressway in the state does not
exist. Never mind that the once bucolic little suburban boulevard
is now Interstate 678. The Transit Authority says, "NO!
It is Boulevard!" Yes, the newer small signs now dotting
the station girders say "Briarwood - Van Wyck". Even
there, however, they can't bring themselves to add "Expwy"
to Van Wyck's name. |