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Astoria N/Q Stations Get Train Countdown Announcements and Makeover

 Speakers installed on the platforms at five stations in Astoria, between 39th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard, now give real-time announcements to let straphangers know when their next train will show up.
Speakers installed on the platforms at five stations in Astoria, between 39th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard, now give real-time announcements to let straphangers know when their next train will show up.
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DNAinfo/Jeanmarie Evelly

ASTORIA — The automated train arrival announcements that the MTA began testing last week at several N/Q subway stations in Queens are here to stay, officials said Wednesday.

Speakers installed on the platforms at five stations in Astoria, between 39th Avenue and Astoria Boulevard, now give real-time announcements to let straphangers know when their next train will arrive.

State Sen. Michael Gianaris said he's been pushing for real-time subway information at the Astoria stations since 2010.

"I hope this is a sign of things to come for Astoria and other rapidly developing western Queens neighborhoods," he said in a statement.

All six Astoria N/Q subway stations will also be getting some major upgrades over the next few years according to the MTA, including new lights, paint jobs, benches and art work as part of the agency's Station Renewal Program in 2015 or early 2016. 

Improvements at the Ditmars Blvd., Broadway and 39th Avenue stations are slated to begin even sooner, and will include the repair or replacement of stairways, platform edges and flooring, and other improvements.

The construction contract for that work is scheduled for late 2014, the MTA said.