Livonia Avenue (L) - The SubwayNut

Livonia Avenue has two side platforms on the Canarsie Line's embankment. The 3 train's elevated over Livonia Avenue passes straight through and above the station's platform. There is a walkway and bridge over some non-revenue tracks that are parallel to the station that leads directly to an entrance to the Junius Street Station. Residents have been asking for a free transfer for many years, a free MetroCard Transfer was finally added temporarily for the reconstruction of the Canarsie Tubes in 2019 and made permanent during tin 2020 with the building of an in system, fully ADA Accessible transfer (and exits from the station) between the two stations is scheduled to be built by 2024. If the Interborough Express is every built on these former Bay Ridge Branch Freight tracks, it should have a station at this location with easy transfers to the L and 3 trains.

The station has one main exit located beneath the platforms towards the middle of the two side platforms for the two track L train line. Staircases lead down from each platform to an intermediate level before becoming one staircase that goes down into the station's tiny station house that is located at street level, across from a T-intersection where Livonia is interrupted (the line continues on the opposite side of the subway and freight tracks) at Van Sinderen Av, the 3 train which is an elevated above Livonia Avenue, crosses directly over the station house and station above.

In the small plaza across from the entrance house at street level there is also a staircase with a sign saying Overpass to Livonia Avenue & Junis Street (3) Station with another sign pointing towards the L train station house. This staircase leads up to an intermediate landing where a very short staircase continues up to a set of two High Entrance/Exit turnstiles directly on the Canarsie-bound platform before continuing onto the bridge over the freight tracks and the Junius Street Station on the 3.

The two side platforms were renovated in 2005-2006 and are wind-screened in their middles and exposed towards their ends. An Art's For Transit Installation was installed in 2007 but by 2009 was removed before returning by 2012. The MTA's website has a page for it with pictures, and NYCSubway.org has pictures taken in September, 2007. I've been trying to figure out why the artwork was briefly removed and can't find an answer.

The station was renovated again to become fully ADA accessible. This required the Canarsie-bound platform closed from November 15, 2020 to March 9, 2021, and the Manhattan-bound platform from March 29, 2021 to June 14, 2021. These renovations primarily built a small bridge above the platforms.

This new mezzanine is at the same level and just north of the 3 train's crossing above the L train and is part of phase 1 of building a new in subway-system transfer at this location. The mezzanine is accessed via a staircase and elevator up from each L train platform. The elevator to the Rockaway Parkway-bound platform stops at this platform at an intermediate mezzanine before continuing down to the station house at street-level under the tracks. The Manhattan-bound platform only has two landings with the bridge required to be used for step-free access entering and exiting the station. The mezzanine is completely canopied but not enclosed with a mixture of full height mesh on the sides. Tall panes of glass form a 'barrier' along the sides of the mezzanine allowing nice views down to the L train tracks below, and 3 trains just a short distance at the same level as the mezzanine.
Photo 1-20: January 1, 2005; 21-34: May 29, 2007; 35-43: July 22, 2009; 44 & 45: November 3, 2012; 46-86: September 4, 2023;

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Looking down the unrenovated Livonia Avenue platform over a Brooklyn Rooftop.

A ground view shot of one of the platforms at Livonia Avenue, as a R143 train is in the station

A Livonia Avenue platform sign on a portion of the mostly exposed platform.

Looking across to the canopied portion of the Canarsie-bound platform at Livonia Avenue. The 3 train's station at Junius Street is visible off in the distance

The single staircase right in the middle of the Canarsie-bound platform at Livonia Avenue down to the main station house and exit to Livonia Avenue & Van Sinderen Avenue.

A narrow than normal bench and station name sign on the Manhattan-bound platform at Livonia Avenue, the windscreens on this platform are a bit higher than the ones on the Canarsie-bound platform that basically are just a nice low fence.

The 3 train's elevated structure that goes right above Livonia Avenue, in this view before the station was rebuilt, there is only a High Exit Turnstile across the footbridge that leads to Junius Street.

A R143 L train at Livonia Avenue with a three train passing above on its elevated line.

Another view of the evening sun on a R143 L train stopped at Livonia Avenue

A three train on its elevated line viewed from the L train's Livonia Avenue Station.

A Canarsie-bound R143 L train leaves Livonia Avenue.

A Canarsie-bound R143 L train fades off into the distance as it leaves Livonia Avenue, the unpowered elevated track connection to the three line is visible in this view.

Looking across to the single dilapidated High Exit Turnstile to Junius Street in Livonia Avenue's unrenovated falling apart form.

The small underpass and staircase down to fare control beneath the tracks at Livonia Avenue.

Looking down one of the two staircases to the station house at street level at Livonia Avenue.

A Manhattan-bound R143 L train has left Livonia Avenue.

A Canarsie-bound L train approaches Livonia Avenue.

Looking out of the fence that is Livonia Avenue's platform edge, even in the area beneath the canopied portion with the 3 train's elevated in the background.

Looking down Livonia Avenue at the steel trusses that are beneath the 3 train's el.

R62 #1516 and a 3 train approach Livonia Avenue to go over the L train's Station.

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