59th Street middle platform

59th Street once had a middle platform. It opened in 1953 and closed 1974. It has been converted to a cross-under between the IRT platforms.

Construction and operation
The center platform at 59 St was probably built to handle rush hour crowds changing trains. It was built as part of the line, the original Independent (IND) subway line that opened in September 1932, but was probably not used until 1953. Express trains opened doors on both sides in rush hours. On the old subway cars, conductors stood between cars to open doors and could do both sides from the same location. On newer cars, conductors had to open doors from an inside cab, and move to the next car to open the other side, so use of the center platform was discontinued in 1981 because it delayed train service at the busiest time of day.

Some fan trips now depart from the center platform, since it provides a place to segregate special ticket holders.

In 2010 it was converted into a underpass between the IRT platforms. Large metal fences have been erected to keep people away from the edges.