A subway entrance that was closed for decades is now reopened.
For riders of the F and G lines in the Park Slope section the reopening means not having to cross a busy and dangerous street.
More than 11,000 people use the 4th Avenue-9th Street Subway Station and they will now benefit from a newly restored station house which re-opened Thursday.
"I'm surprised to see it like this. It's going to be great, it's going to be easier to get in," said Steve Darrup, a rider.
He's surprised because the 4th Avenue-9th Street Station, which houses the F and G lines, has been shuttered since the 1970's.
"It's wonderful, it gives you a lot more opportunity to get in and out quicker and safer," said Linda Faust, a rider.
Safer is the key word.
For the last 40 years, in order to grab the subway around there, you had to cross busy 4th Avenue.
"Before they put the traffic countdown timers, it was really taking your life into your hands," Faust said.
"A lot of accidents, once, twice a week. Sometimes the cars hit people and sometimes they hit each other," said Ziyad Kased, owner, B&E River Mini Market.
Now you won't have to dart across six lanes of traffic.
You have another entrance at the station house.
$2.8 million in local and state money fixed it up with better lighting and repaired concrete, new Metro Card machines and turnstiles.
The historic archway is being restored, too.
And there's even more to come.
"We have created new retail spaces in which we expect to have tenants in 2013," said Thomas Prendergast, Pres. NYC Transit.
"As soon as they open, I think there's going to be more business," Kased said.
The station house redo is part of the total rehab of the Culver Viaduct which runs through this community.
That $575 million endeavor is being primarily funded by the federal government.
It will improve F and G train service, officials say, and help transform the neighborhood.
"The potential of 4th Avenue is right before us," said Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President.
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