West Eighth Street–New York Aquarium station

West 8 Street–New York Aquarium   B36, B68
Structure	Elevated
Levels	2
Platforms	4 side platforms (2 on each level)
Tracks	4 (2 on each level)
Other information
Opened	May 19, 1919; 104 years ago (1919-05-19)
Opposite- direction transfer	Yes
Former/other names	Coney Island–West Eighth Street
Traffic
2023	640,138[2]  9.7%
Rank	355 out of 423[2]
Services Preceding station New York City Subway Following station Ocean Parkway Q  toward 96th Street Local <F> ​​ Q  Terminus <F> ​ toward Jamaica–179th Street Local
Location Show map of New York City Subway Show map of New York City Show map of New York
Track layout Legend Upper level to Ocean Parkway to Coney Isl–Stillwell Ave Lower level Former tracks to Ocean Parkway Neptune Avenue ​ to Coney Isl–Stillwell Ave
Street map
Station service legend Symbol Description Stops all times Stops rush hours in the peak direction only (limited service) Stops weekdays and weekday late nights

The West Eighth Street–New York Aquarium station is a

History

The station, originally identified as Coney Island–West Eighth Street, replaced the Culver Depot, the surface terminus of the Brighton Beach and Culver Lines. The new station consisted of a two-level elevated line, with two tracks and two side platforms on each level. Brighton service began serving the station on June 13, 1919,^[3] with Brighton Local trains using the lower level and Brighton Express trains (when operated) using the upper level. On May 1, 1920, Culver trains began sharing the lower level with the Brighton Line.

The usage of both levels varied over the years, with different Brighton services using the lower level at different times. Brighton Locals used the lower level of West 8th Street until 1954,^[3] when the track connection between the Brighton Line at Ocean Parkway and the lower level of West 8th Street station was severed. Brighton and Culver trains have had exclusive use of their respective levels ever since. The structure for the connector tracks still exists.

In September 1954, the NYCTA announced that it would build a 700 feet (210 m)-long overpass connecting the station with the then proposed New York Aquarium. The estimated cost for the project was $500,000, and it was expected to be completed by November 1955.^[4]

In 2002, it was announced that West Eighth Street would be one of ten subway stations citywide to receive renovations.^[5] The station was closed in August 2002 in conjunction with the reconstruction of the Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue terminal,^[6] and service was restored on May 23, 2004.^[7] The renovation took place during the temporary closure.

The pedestrian bridge was torn down on August 8, 2013, due to safety issues. A crosswalk and widened sidewalks replaced the bridge, which was built when the New York Aquarium was first opened at that location.^[8] In 2024, the MTA announced that it would install low platform fences at the West Eighth Street–New York Aquarium station at the Clark Street station to reduce the likelihood of passengers falling onto the tracks.^[9][10] The barriers would consist of low yellow fences, spaced along the length of the platform; there would not be sliding platform screen doors between the barriers.^[9]

Station layout

3F Brighton platforms	Side platform
	Southbound	← toward Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue (Terminus)
	Northbound	→ toward 96th Street (Ocean Parkway) →
	Side platform
2F Culver platforms	Side platform
	Southbound	← toward Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue (Terminus)
	Northbound	→ toward Jamaica–179th Street (Neptune Avenue) →
	Side platform
G	Street level	Exit/entrance, fare control

The current station continues to have two tracks and two side platforms on each level; the BMT Brighton Line currently uses the upper level and the IND Culver Line uses the lower level.

The 2005 artwork here is called Wavewall by Vito Acconci.^[11]

Exits

This station contains two entrances. The first one is located on West Eighth Street, on the west end of the station. It has a full-time station agent booth and a ramp to the mezzanine, where there are turnstiles and stairs to the platforms. There are also two stairs that lead from the mezzanine down to the west side of West Eighth Street.^[12]

The second one leads to the intersection of West Fifth Street and Brighton Avenue, past the east end of the station. It contains three

• 
  Abandoned trackways from lower level of station to the BMT Brighton Line
• 
  Entrance from West 8th Street
• 
  Zoom on the staircase by Vito Acconci
• 
  Manhattan-bound F train of R160s enters the station
• 
  The Brighton Line platforms on the upper level
• 
  The Culver Line platforms on the lower level
• 
  Street stair and pedestrian overpass to Aquarium, demolished in August 2013

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to West Eighth Street – New York Aquarium (New York City Subway).

• nycsubway.org – Station: West 8th Street (Brighton/Culver Line)
• The Subway Nut - West Eighth Street Pictures
• MTA's Arts For Transit — West 8th Street–New York Aquarium
• West Eighth Street entrance from Google Maps Street View
• Surf Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View
• Upper level from Google Maps Street View