Avenue U station (IND Culver Line)

The Avenue U station is a local station on the IND Culver Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of Avenue U and McDonald Avenue in Gravesend, Brooklyn. It is served by the F train at all times and the <F> train during rush hours in the peak direction.
== History ==
As part of Contract 4 of the Dual Contracts, between the city and the BRT, a three-track elevated railway was built above the surface Culver Line from the Fifth Avenue Elevated southeast and south to Coney Island.New York Public Service Commission, New Subways For New York: The Dual System of Rapid Transit, June 1913 The Culver Line was operated as a branch of the Fifth Avenue Elevated, with a free transfer at Ninth Avenue to the West End Line into the Fourth Avenue Subway.The New York Times, B.R.T. Will Open Culver Line Elevated Road as Far as Kings Highway on Sunday Next, March 9, 1919, page 23The New York Times, Culver Line Open Today, March 16, 1919, page 8Frederick J. H. Kracke, Public Service Commissioner, The New York Times, New Rapid Transit Link in Operation, March 16, 1919, page 106The New York Times, Culver Elevated Opens, March 17, 1919, page 21 Avenue X station opened as the line was extended from Kings Highway at noon on May 10, 1919.The New York Times, New Transit Line Opened, May 11, 1919, page 25The New York Times, New Culver Extension, May 18, 1919, page 116
On October 30, 1954,Culver Line Ceremonies this station began being served by IND Concourse Express trains operating to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue as the connection between the IND South Brooklyn Line at Church Avenue and the BMT Culver Line at Ditmas Avenue opened.The New York Times, Adequate Transit Promised for City, October 29, 1954, page 25 BMT Culver Line (5) trains were truncated to Ditmas Avenue, the south end of the connection, operating through to Manhattan via the Nassau Street Loopduring the day, and terminating at Ninth Avenue at other times.The New York Times, Bronx to Coney Ride in New Subway Link, October 18, 1954, page 34The New York Times, Bronx-Coney Line is Opened by IND, October 31, 1954, page 73 This Culver Shuttle became full-time on May 28, 1959, and was discontinued in 1975.
From June 7, 2016 to May 8, 2017, the Coney Island-bound platform of this station was closed for renovations as part of a $140 million renewal project on the Culver Line. The Manhattan-bound platform was closed for a longer period of time, from May 22, 2017 until July 30, 2018.
==Station layout==
This station has two side platforms and three tracks with the middle track unused in revenue service. The two platforms have beige windscreens and green canopies that run for nearly the entire length. The north end has black waist-level fences only. The platform signs consist of black boards with "Avenue U" in white lettering.
===Exits===
This station has two entrances with the full-time one at the north end. From each platform, one staircase leads down to an elevated station-house beneath the tracks, where a bank of turnstiles and token booth are present. Outside fare control are two street stairs to the two northern corners Avenue U and McDonald Avenue.
At the south end of the station are unstaffed exits leading to Gravesend Neck Road. From each platform, a single staircase goes down to a short wooden landing outside of a sealed station house where a full-height turnstile and emergency gate provide exit from the system. Another staircase then goes down to the street. The Coney Island-bound side is exit-only while the Manhattan-bound side is HEET turnstile access. The station house, now used as an employee-only facility, was once opened to the public and had a booth.
== References ==
== External links ==
* 
* Station Reporter — F train
* The Subway Nut — Avenue U Pictures
* Avenue U entrance from Google Maps Street View
* Gravesend Neck Road exit only from Google Maps Street View
* Platforms from Google Maps Street View (During 2016-2018 Renovation)
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Category:BMT Culver Line stations
Category:New York City Subway stations in Brooklyn
Category:New York City Subway stations located aboveground
Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1919