Grand Central Madison station gets new entrance for LIRR riders

A new entrance to the deep-underground Grand Central Madison station opened at 45th Street and Madison Avenue, providing an additional route to platforms located about 15 stories below street level. Commuters can reach the station through Grand Central Terminal and other nearby entrances and elevators in surrounding skyscrapers. The entrance is part of ongoing work following the station’s 2023 opening after long delays and rising costs, with many retail spaces still empty. MTA officials said the entrance improves convenience and accessibility during peak commuting hours. The project was enabled by a public-private partnership with BXP, which is building a new office tower at 343 Madison Ave. The MTA expects about $1 billion over time through lease payments and taxes from the deal.

"The entrance is at 45th Street and Madison Avenue, and gives a new alternative to getting to the station's platforms, which are 15 stories beneath the street. Commuters can also access the station via Grand Central Terminal and several other entrances and elevators built in nearby skyscrapers."

"MTA officials celebrated the milestone Friday as a win for convenience and accessibility. "You just need to stand on Madison Avenue for any amount of time during the morning or afternoon peaks and you can see what commuters want: convenient, accessible entrances that get them to their train without having to go too far out of their way," Jamie Torres-Springer, the president of MTA construction and development, said at a press conference announcing the new entrance."

"MTA Chair Janno Lieber said the entrance was made possible because of a public-private partnership between the agency and BXP, a real estate investment trust that manages offices and workplaces across the country. As part of the deal, BXP is building a new office tower at 343 Madison Ave., a site that previously housed the MTA's headquarters."

"BXP said the building is slated to open in 2029 with direct access to the Grand Central Madison concourse. The company announced its anchor tenant, investment firm Starr, earlier this year. The MTA will get about $1 billion over time through lease payments and taxes because of the deal, Lieber said. He did not specify over what period of time"

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