Newkirk Station Renovations to Last until Fall 2011

After the MTA cordoned off most of Newkirk Plaza with high chain link fences, I sent an e-mail to the MTA support center asking what was up. They responded in one week, which has to be a record for the fastest the MTA has ever done anything. They sent a form e-mail about the need for updating old stations and bringing them into a "state of good repair," which includes "repairing structural deficiencies, highlighting architectural features, enhancing lighting and signage, improving security and revenue control, and enhancing customer comfort." The e-mail added that Newkirk Avenue is scheduled for "station structural remediation to be completed in the fall of 2011. Please note, all dates are subject to change."

My interpretation of that, judging from the MTA's handling of train traffic, sick passengers, weekend track work and signal problems, is that the renovations will move very slowly and inefficiently and last past 2011. I hope I'm wrong and that it really means it will finish up sooner. But I suspect, fellow Newkirkians, that we have a lot of subway frustration in our future, including days when the trains will probably have to skip our stop. Maybe the newly highlighted architectural features and improved revenue control will make it worth it in the end. Maybe.