View source for 68th Street–Hunter College station

{{Short description|New York City Subway station in Manhattan}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox NYCS
| name = 68 Street–Hunter College
| image = IRT Lexington 68th Street-Hunter College Southbound Platform.jpg
| image_caption = [[R62A (New York City Subway car)|R62A]] {{NYCS|6}} train arriving at the southbound platform
| address = East 68th Street &amp; Lexington Avenue<br />New York, New York
| borough = [[Manhattan]]
| locale = [[Upper East Side]]
| coordinates = {{coord|40.767834|N|73.964124|W|display=inline,title}}
| division = IRT
| line = [[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]]
| service = Lexington local
| service_header = Lexington local header
| other = {{bus icon}} [[NYCT Bus]]: {{NYC bus link|M66|M98|M101|M102|M103}}<ref>{{cite NYC bus map|M}}</ref><br>{{bus icon}} [[MTA Bus]]: {{NYC bus link|BxM1}}
| platforms = 2 [[side platform]]s
| tracks = 2
| structure = Underground
| opened = {{start date and age|1918|07|17}}<ref name="lexopens"/>
| accessible = yes
| acc_note =
| services = {{Adjacent stations|system=New York City Subway
|line1=Lexington local|left1=77th Street|right1=59th Street|note-left1={{NYCS Lexington local|time=1}}|note-right1={{NYCS Lexington local|time=1}}
|note-row2={{Rail-interchange|nycs|5}} does not stop here}}
| footnotes = {{NYCS infobox legend|alltimes}}{{NYCS infobox legend|nightsonly}}{{NYCS infobox legend|rushpeak}}
| route_map = {{NYCS 2-tracked side platform station|inline=y
|1=77th Street
|2=59th Street
|code=IRT Lexington Avenue Line
|deg=330
}}
}}
The '''68th Street–Hunter College station''' is a local [[metro station|station]] on the [[IRT Lexington Avenue Line]] of the [[New York City Subway]], located at the intersection of [[Lexington Avenue (Manhattan)|Lexington Avenue]] and 68th Street on the [[Upper East Side]] of [[Manhattan]]. It is served by the {{NYCS|6}} train at all times, the [[6d (New York City Subway service)|&lt;6&gt;]] train during weekdays in the peak direction, and the {{NYCS|4}} train during late nights.

This station was constructed as part of the [[Dual Contracts]] by the [[Interborough Rapid Transit Company]] and opened in 1918, and was renovated in the 1980s. A further renovation between 2021 and 2024 made the station compliant with the [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990]] and provided additional entry points.

== History ==
===Planning and construction===
[[File:IRT Lexington 68th Street-Hunter College Mosaic.jpg|left|thumb|Mosaic name tablet]]
Following the completion of the [[Early history of the IRT subway|original subway]], there were plans to construct a line along Manhattan's east side north of 42nd Street. The original plan for what became the extension north of 42nd Street was to continue it south through [[Irving Place]] and into what is now the [[BMT Broadway Line]] at [[Ninth Street (Manhattan)|Ninth Street]] and [[Broadway (Manhattan)|Broadway]]. In July 1911, the IRT had withdrawn from the talks, and the [[Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company]] (BRT) was to operate on Lexington Avenue. The IRT submitted an offer for what became its portion of the [[Dual Contracts]] on February 27, 1912.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Walker|first1=James Blaine|title=Fifty Years of Rapid Transit — 1864 to 1917|date=1918|publisher=Law Printing|location=New York, N.Y.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/fiftyyearsrapid00walkgoog/page/n284 230]–233|url=https://archive.org/details/fiftyyearsrapid00walkgoog|access-date=November 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1912/05/22/archives/petition-for-subway-in-lexington-ave-district-residents-object-to.html|title=Petition for Subway in Lexington Ave.|date=May 22, 1912|issn=0362-4331|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 16, 2009|quote=A petition is being circulated among the residents and property owners of the section just south of the Grand Central Station, in Park and Lexington Avenues, protesting against the proposed abandonment of the construction of the Subway in Lexington Avenue, between Forty-third and Thirty-second Streets.|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504021130/https://www.nytimes.com/1912/05/22/archives/petition-for-subway-in-lexington-ave-district-residents-object-to.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1913, as part of the [[Dual Contracts]], which were signed on March 19, 1913,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/03/20/100611839.pdf|title=Subway Contracts Solemnly Signed; Cheers at the Ceremonial Function When McCall Gets Willcox to Attest.|date=March 20, 1913|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 11, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504021115/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/03/20/100611839.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the Public Service Commission planned to split the original [[Interborough Rapid Transit Company]] (IRT) system from looking like a "Z" system (as seen on a map) to an H-shaped system. The original system would be split into three segments: two north–south lines, carrying through trains over the Lexington Avenue and [[IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line|Broadway–Seventh Avenue]] Lines, and a west–east shuttle under 42nd Street. This would form a roughly H-shaped system.<ref name="nyt19130319">{{Cite news|date=March 19, 1913|title=Money Set Aside For New Subways; Board of Estimate Approves City Contracts to be Signed To-day with Interboro and B.R.T.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/03/19/104910612.pdf|access-date=November 10, 2017|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707225820/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1913/03/19/104910612.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mONHAQAAMAAJ&q=5,900+feet+long+clark+street+tunnel&pg=PA846|title=Engineering News-record|date=1916|publisher=McGraw-Hill Publishing Company|page=846|language=en|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504021116/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Engineering_News_record/mONHAQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=5%2C900+feet+long+clark+street+tunnel&pg=PA846&printsec=frontcover|url-status=live}}</ref> It was predicted that the subway extension would lead to the growth of the [[Upper East Side]] and [[the Bronx]].<ref name="HSystem">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/03/10/archives/the-seventh-and-lexington-avenue-subways-will-revive-dormant.html|title=The Seventh and Lexington Avenue Subways Will Revive Dormant Sections — Change in Operation That Will Transform Original Four-Tracked Subway Into Two Four-Tracked Systems and Double Present Capacity of the Interborough|last1=Whitney|first1=Travis H.|date=March 10, 1918|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 26, 2016|page=12|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504021133/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/03/10/archives/the-seventh-and-lexington-avenue-subways-will-revive-dormant.html?searchResultPosition=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/05/19/archives/article-1-no-title-east-tank-line-west-trunk-line-park-place.html|title=Public Service Commission Fixes July 15 For Opening of The New Seventh and Lexington Avenue Subway Lines — Will Afford Better Service and Less Crowding — Shuttle Service for Forty-Second Street — How the Various Lines of the Dual System Are Grouped for Operation and List of Stations on All Lines|date=May 19, 1918|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=November 6, 2016|page=32|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504021117/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/05/19/archives/article-1-no-title-east-tank-line-west-trunk-line-park-place.html?searchResultPosition=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 15, 1917, the Public Service Commission agreed to change the name of the under-construction station from 68th Street to 68th Street–Hunter College at the request of officials of [[Hunter College]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1917/02/16/archives/station-named-for-hunter-college.html|title=Station Named for Hunter College.|date=February 16, 1917|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 1, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115431/https://www.nytimes.com/1917/02/16/archives/station-named-for-hunter-college.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Opening===
The 68th Street&ndash;Hunter College station opened on July 17, 1918, with service initially running between [[Grand Central–42nd Street station|Grand Central–42nd Street]] and [[167th Street station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)|167th Street]] via the line's local tracks.<ref name="lexopens">{{cite news|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/07/17/102723156.pdf|title=Lexington Av. Line to be Opened Today|date=July 17, 1918|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 21, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|page=13|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214183011/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/07/17/102723156.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=n66004851>{{Cite news|date=1918-07-17|title=Lexington Subway to Operate To-day|pages=8|work=New York Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald/66004851/|access-date=2023-05-30}}</ref> On August 1, the "H system" was put into place, with through service beginning on the new east and west side trunk lines, and the institution of the [[42nd Street Shuttle]] along the old connection between the sides.<ref>{{cite news|date=August 2, 1918|title=Open New Subway Lines to Traffic; Called a Triumph — Great H System Put in Operation Marks an Era in Railroad Construction — No Hitch in the Plans — But Public Gropes Blindly to Find the Way in Maze of New Stations — Thousands Go Astray — Leaders in City's Life Hail Accomplishment of Great Task at Meeting at the Astor|page=1|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/08/02/archives/open-new-subway-lines-to-traffic-called-a-triumph-great-h-system.html|access-date=November 6, 2016|archive-date=January 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106233417/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/08/02/archives/open-new-subway-lines-to-traffic-called-a-triumph-great-h-system.html?searchResultPosition=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=n125572944>{{Cite news|date=1918-08-02|title=New "H" System Brings Worst Subway Jam|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune/35063136/ 6]|work=New-York Tribune|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-tribune-new-h-system-brings-w/125572944/|access-date=2023-05-30}}</ref> The cost of the extension from Grand Central was $58&nbsp;million.<ref name="nyt-1918-07-11">{{Cite news|date=July 11, 1918|title=Finish a New Link of the Dual Subway; Lexington Avenue Line North of Forty-second Street to Begin Local Service Wednesday. Branch Extends to Bronx Through service, with Times SquareGrand Central Shuttle Connections, to Open Soon. Changes in the Bronx.|page=20|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1918/07/11/archives/finish-a-new-link-of-the-dual-subway-lexington-avenue-line-north-of.html|access-date=January 8, 2017|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504021118/https://www.nytimes.com/1918/07/11/archives/finish-a-new-link-of-the-dual-subway-lexington-avenue-line-north-of.html?searchResultPosition=1|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Station renovations===
[[File:E68 IRT mezzanine seating jeh.jpg|left|thumb|Mezzanine level]]
The city government took over the IRT's operations on June 12, 1940.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 13, 1940 |title=City Transit Unity Is Now a Reality; Title to I.R.T. Lines Passes to Municipality, Ending 19-Year Campaign |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/13/archives/city-transit-unity-is-now-a-reality-title-to-irt-lines-passes-to.html |access-date=May 14, 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107193115/https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/13/archives/city-transit-unity-is-now-a-reality-title-to-irt-lines-passes-to.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="p1248134780">{{cite news |date=June 13, 1940 |title=Transit Unification Completed As City Takes Over I. R. T. Lines: Systems Come Under Single Control After Efforts Begun in 1921; Mayor Is Jubilant at City Hall Ceremony Recalling 1904 Celebration |page=25 |work=New York Herald Tribune |id={{ProQuest|1248134780}}}}</ref>

In 1981, the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] (MTA) listed the station among the 69 most deteriorated stations in the subway system.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gargan|first1=Edward A.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/11/nyregion/agency-lists-its-69-most-deteriorated-subway-stations.html|title=Agency Lists Its 69 Most Deteriorated Subway Stations|date=June 11, 1981|work=The New York Times|access-date=August 13, 2016|page=B5S|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204421/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/11/nyregion/agency-lists-its-69-most-deteriorated-subway-stations.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This station was renovated in September 1984 as part of the MTA's Adopt-A-Station Program in conjunction with a renovation of Hunter College.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n67.jpg|title=Plaque for the station's renovations under the 'Adapt-a-Station' program|last=Cox|first=Jeremiah|date=August 15, 2008|website=subwaynut.com|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=January 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109141321/http://subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n67.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Elevator installation ====
As early as 2008, the MTA had wanted to install elevators at the 68th Street station.<ref name="Levingston t105">{{cite web |last=Levingston |first=Miranda |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Inside This UES Subway Station's $177 Million Accessibility Upgrade |url=https://patch.com/new-york/upper-east-side-nyc/inside-ues-subway-stations-177-million-upgrade |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Upper East Side, NY Patch}}</ref> The MTA proposed to build elevators here under the 2010–2014 MTA Capital Program, as part of the MTA's 100 Key ADA-accessible stations program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/160926_1345_CPOC.pdf|title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting|date=September 26, 2016|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|page=115|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=November 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110023333/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/archive/160926_1345_CPOC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theweeklynabe.com/2013/06/13/mta-key-station-plan-subway-accessibility/|title=The MTA's Key Station Plan for subway accessibility|work=The Weekly Nabe|last=Williams|first=Keith|date=June 13, 2013|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=September 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916105931/http://theweeklynabe.com/2013/06/13/mta-key-station-plan-subway-accessibility/|url-status=live}}</ref> The project scope included include building elevators at 68th Street and new street stair entrances at 69th Street and Lexington Avenue. In late 2011 and early 2012, the project faced local opposition; opponents claimed the new staircases would ruin the character of 69th Street.<ref>{{cite web|last=Zimmer|first=Amy|date=October 6, 2011|url=http://www.dnainfo.com/20111006/upper-east-side/ues-residents-blast-subway-entrance-plans-for-landmarked-blocks|title=UES Residents Blast Subway Entrance Plans for Landmarked Blocks|work=dnainfo.com|access-date=August 14, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116202005/http://www.dnainfo.com/20111006/upper-east-side/ues-residents-blast-subway-entrance-plans-for-landmarked-blocks|archive-date=January 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/nyregion/upper-east-side-residents-protest-proposed-subway-entrances.html|title=Subway Entrances? Not on Our Block|last=Buckley|first=Cara|website=The New York Times|date=February 25, 2012|access-date=February 24, 2018|archive-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228161603/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/nyregion/upper-east-side-residents-protest-proposed-subway-entrances.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The MTA insisted the new entrances were necessary to reduce congestion at the station's current entrances. The 69th Street Tenants Corporation suggested building new entrances at 67th Street or 70th Street instead,<ref name="Environmental Assessment">{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/planning/68St-Hunter/pdf/EA.pdf|title=68th Street/Hunter College Subway Station Improvement Project Manhattan, New York Environmental Assessment And Proposed Section 4(f) De Minimis Impact Finding|date=February 2016|website=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]]|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|access-date=February 24, 2018|archive-date=February 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228161754/http://web.mta.info/mta/planning/68St-Hunter/pdf/EA.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|15-4 (PDF p. 212)}} although the station does not reach under either of those streets.<ref name="Environmental Assessment" />{{rp|S-6 to S-8 (PDF pp. 20–22)}} These proposals would have required construction of new passageways connecting the platforms to 67th Street and 70th Street, which would be more expensive and take longer to construct.<ref name="Environmental Assessment" />{{rp|Figures 2-4 and 2-5 (PDF pp. 74&ndash;75)}}

The MTA originally hoped to award a construction contract by November 2013, but the project stalled for several years. In 2016, the MTA released an environmental assessment for the project, proposing to build a new southbound-only entrance at the southwest corner of 69th Street and Lexington Avenue, and a new northbound-only entrance on the east side of Lexington Avenue midblock between 68th and 69th Streets, at the suggestion of the 69th Street Tenants Corporation.<ref name="Environmental Assessment" /> {{As of|July 2017}}, project design was still delayed, due to unresolved conflicts regarding real estate and infrastructure relocation work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/170724_1345_CPOC.pdf|title=Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting|date=July 24, 2017|website=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority|mta.info]]|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|page=84|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901024826/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/170724_1345_CPOC.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The MTA hoped to award a contract by August 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180220_1000_Transit.pdf|title=Transit and Bus Committee Meeting February 2018|date=February 20, 2018|publisher=[[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]|access-date=February 18, 2018|page=326|archive-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090440/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180220_1000_Transit.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> with construction starting in December 2018, and completed in April 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=t6041307&PLTYPE=1|title=T6041307 ADA Accessibility at 68 St-Hunter College Station on the Lexington Av Line|website=web.mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=September 3, 2017|archive-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903212336/http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=t6041307&PLTYPE=1|url-status=live}}</ref> By early 2019, the cost of the project had increased to $116&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jose |date=April 22, 2019 |title=The tab for the access project at the 68th St.-Hunter College station has risen to more than $116&nbsp;million over a decade of delay-inducing opposition. |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2019/04/22/going-up-long-fight-over-subway-elevators-doubles-price-tag/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=THE CITY - NYC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Colin |last2=Weisman |first2=James |date=May 2, 2019 |title=Building accessible subways, affordably: How to help people in wheelchairs navigate the system without breaking the bank |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2019/05/02/building-accessible-subways-affordably-how-to-help-people-in-wheelchairs-navigate-the-system-without-breaking-the-bank/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> {{As of|December 2019}}, a contract for the elevators' construction was projected to be awarded in July 2020 and be completed by 2023.<ref name="MTA-CPOC-Nov2018">{{cite web | title=Project Details | website=MTA | url=http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=t7041324&PLTYPE=1&DISPLAYALL=Y | access-date=December 26, 2019 | archive-date=September 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915170338/http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=t7041324&PLTYPE=1&DISPLAYALL=Y | url-status=live }}</ref> The street-to-mezzanine elevator was originally supposed to be installed at the southeast corner of Lexington Avenue and 69th Street. The elevator was relocated to the northeast corner after engineers determined that the elevator would have been too complicated to install at the original location.<ref name="Martinez a606">{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jose |date=October 6, 2020 |title=More than a dozen years after the transit agency first proposed making the 68th Street subway entrance ADA compliant, the MTA has now altered the $100&nbsp;million-plus plan. |url=https://www.thecity.nyc/2020/10/06/mta-crosses-street-with-long-delayed-hunter-college-station-elevator/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=THE CITY - NYC News}}</ref>

In December 2021, a contract for the renovations was awarded to Forte/Citnalta JV.<ref name="Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2023">{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2023 |title=Capital Program Committee Meeting - February 2023 |url=https://new.mta.info/document/105871 |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221184725/https://new.mta.info/document/105871 }}</ref>{{rp|page=16}} The latest design moved the street elevator next to a relocated stair at the northeast corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue; an engineering analysis confirmed the original location of the proposed elevator, at the southeast corner of the intersection under the overhang of Hunter College East, was structurally infeasible.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=Proposed Changes to the 68 St-Hunter College Station Improvement Project |url=https://new.mta.info/projects/68st-ada-elevator |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303015006/https://new.mta.info/projects/68st-ada-elevator }}</ref> A relocated street stair on the west side of Lexington Avenue opened in October 2022,<ref name="Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2023" /> and the midblock entrance to the northbound platform opened in March 2023.<ref name="Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2023" /><ref name="Senzamici 2023">{{cite web | last=Senzamici | first=Peter | title=New UES Subway Entrance At 68th Street/Hunter College Nearly Open | website=Upper East Side, NY Patch | date=March 2, 2023 | url=https://patch.com/new-york/upper-east-side-nyc/new-ues-subway-entrance-68th-street-hunter-college-nearly-open | access-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-date=March 3, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303035823/https://patch.com/new-york/upper-east-side-nyc/new-ues-subway-entrance-68th-street-hunter-college-nearly-open | url-status=live }}</ref> The elevators were finally opened in December 2024,<ref>{{cite press release |title=MTA Announces 68 St-Hunter College Station Now Fully Accessible |date=December 20, 2024 |url=https://new.mta.info/press-release/mta-announces-68-st-hunter-college-station-now-fully-accessible |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=MTA}}</ref> having cost $177&nbsp;million.<ref name="Levingston t105" /><ref name="Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2023" />{{rp|page=16}}

== Station layout ==
{{NYCS Platform Layout IRT Lexington Avenue Line}}
{{multiple image
| align = right
| direction = vertical
| image1 = IRT Lexington 68th Street-Hunter College Mosaic Frieze.jpg
| caption1 = Mosaic frieze, partially repainted
| image2 = IRT Lexington 68th Street-Hunter College Extension Trim Line.jpg
| caption2 = Platform extension trim line
}}
This underground station has two local tracks and two [[side platform]]s. The express tracks of the Lexington Avenue Line, used by the 4 and {{NYCS|5}} trains during daytime hours, pass beneath the station and are not visible from the platforms.<ref name="tracks">{{NYCS const|trackref|trackbook3}}</ref> The 6 stops here at all times, and the 4 stops here during late nights.<ref name="tt4">{{NYCS const|timetable|4}}</ref><ref name="tt6">{{NYCS const|timetable|6}}</ref> The station is between {{stl|NYCS|77th Street|Lexington}} to the north and {{stl|NYCS|59th Street|Lexington}} to the south.<ref name=submap>{{NYCS const|map}}</ref> Automated announcements on the [[R142 (New York City Subway car)|R142]] fleet refer to the station as 68th Street.

Both platforms have their original brown and yellow mosaic trim line with "68" friezes on it at regular intervals. Where some tiles have degraded and fallen off, the wall is painted in matching colors. Below the trim line are mosaic name tablets reading "68TH STREET-HUNTER COLLEGE" broken onto two lines in white [[serif]]fed lettering on blue with a gold and green border.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?50|title=Name tablet|last=Whitehorne|first=Wayne|date=January 31, 1998|website=www.nycsubway.org|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219182752/https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?50|url-status=live}}</ref> On small sections of the platforms on either ends, where they were extended in the 1950s, there are blue trim lines with "68TH ST" white lettering printed on them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n69.jpg|title=1950s era trimline is at an extreme end of the platforms of eight streetstairs|last=Cox|first=Jeremiah|date=June 11, 2011|website=subwaynut.com|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607094338/http://subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n69.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> Midnight blue I-beam columns run along both platforms at regular intervals with alternating ones having the standard black station name plate in white lettering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n610.jpg|title=Looking down the downtown platform has the 1950s era wall gives way to more conventional wall tiling|last=Cox|first=Jeremiah|date=June 11, 2011|website=subwaynut.com|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607034010/http://subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n610.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> Fixed platform barriers, which are intended to prevent commuters falling to the tracks, are positioned near the platform edges.<ref name=Wassef202507>{{cite web | last=Wassef | first=Mira | title=Platform barriers installed at 56 subway stations in NYC | website=PIX11 | date=July 18, 2025 | url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/platform-barriers-installed-at-56-subway-station-in-nyc/ | access-date=July 21, 2025}}</ref><ref name=Russo-Lennon202507>{{cite web | last=Russo-Lennon | first=Barbara | title=These are the NYC subway stations that now have protective platform barriers | website=amNewYork | date=July 20, 2025 | url=https://www.amny.com/nyc-transit/platform-barriers-nyc-subway-stations/ | access-date=July 21, 2025}}</ref> Both platforms have emergency exits from the lower level express tracks.

Toward the south end of the platforms are two stairs leading to the only [[mezzanine (architecture)|mezzanine]] in the station. It has been renovated with stainless steel [[fare control]] rails and features red accent stripes in the [[Independent Subway System|IND]] style. Old wall lights exist but are not functional. The waiting area inside fare control has windows that allow a full view of the platforms and tracks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?77412|title=68th Street Mezzanine|last=Harris|first=David|date=November 16, 2007|website=www.nycsubway.org|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=December 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219182604/https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?77412|url-status=live}}</ref> The northern half of the station without the mezzanine has very high ceilings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n613.jpg|title=Approaching the entrance area almost suspended inside the station ceiling the platform roof gets lower|last=Cox|first=Jeremiah|date=June 11, 2011|website=subwaynut.com|access-date=December 19, 2018|archive-date=June 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607010400/http://subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n613.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>

Two glass mosaic artworks, ''Tempestuous Terrain'' and ''Liminal Location'' by Hunter College professor [[Lisa Corinne Davis]], are installed at the station as part of the [[MTA Arts & Design]] program.<ref name="Culgan i331">{{cite web |last=Culgan |first=Rossilynne Skena |date=January 29, 2025 |title=Abstract mosaics are bringing a powerful message to this Upper East Side subway station |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/abstract-mosaics-are-bringing-a-powerful-message-to-this-upper-east-side-subway-station-012825 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Time Out New York}}</ref> The ''Liminal Location'' mural is split into two sections. Both artworks consist of painted and engraved pieces of glass, which depict lines winding through a multicolored field.<ref name="Culgan i331" /> These decorations were intended to resemble a map.<ref name="Culgan i331" /><ref name="Spielman d846">{{cite web |last=Spielman |first=Ralph |date=December 26, 2024 |title=MTA Holiday Presents: Completes Nearly $500M in Renovations at E. 68th St. and W. 14th St. Subway Stations |url=https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/mta-holiday-presents-completes-nearly-500m-in-renovations-at-e-68th-st-and-w-14th-st-subway-stations-NF4025971 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=www.westsidespirit.com}}</ref>

===Exits===
[[File:E68 IRT west stair jeh.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Exterior stair, SW corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue]]
[[File:Solomon 68th St Sign.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The unique 68th St subway sign created by Barbara Solomon.]]
Outside of the large [[turnstile]] bank that provides access to and from the station through the mezzanine, there is a token booth and a passageway on each side separated from the waiting area by a steel fence. Each passageway leads to a small staircase going up to either northern corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, as well as an elevator to the northeast corner. On the east side of the mezzanine is a short staircase going up to a landing, where a larger staircase goes up to the southeast corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue underneath [[Hunter College]]'s East Building. The west side of the mezzanine has a direct entrance to the West Building of Hunter College and a double-wide marble staircase going up to the plaza on the southwest corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue.<ref name="NeighborhoodMap">{{cite web|url=https://new.mta.info/document/2026|title=68th Street—Hunter College Neighborhood Map|date=April 2018|website=mta.info|publisher=Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=December 28, 2020|archive-date=December 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227184759/https://new.mta.info/document/2026|url-status=live}}</ref>

An additional entrance for the northbound platform is located on the east side of Lexington Avenue between 68th and 69th Streets. It is flush with the retail facade of the Imperial House apartment building and leads down to an intermediate landing with a small turnstile bank.<ref name="Metropolitan Transportation Authority 2023 2">{{Cite web |last=Metropolitan Transportation Authority |date=March 1, 2023 |title=ADA Accessibility Upgrade and Station Improvements 68th Street Hunter College Station |url=https://www.cb8m.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Final-Manhattan-CB-8-Presentation-on-68th-Street-Hunter-College-ADA-Elevators.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230303015005/https://www.cb8m.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Final-Manhattan-CB-8-Presentation-on-68th-Street-Hunter-College-ADA-Elevators.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2023 |access-date=March 2, 2023 |website=Manhattan Community Board 8}}</ref> An additional entrance for the southbound platform is located on the southwestern corner of Lexington Avenue and 69th Street.

The entrance at the southeast corner contains a sign with the word "Subway" in a unique [[typeface]] seen only on the Hunter campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.subwaynut.com/irt/68n6/68n623.jpg|title=An artsy Subway sign for the 68 St-Hunter College Station entrance|last=Cox|first=Jeremiah|date=June 11, 2011|website=subwaynut.com|access-date=December 19, 2018}}</ref> This sign, and other signs around the college campus that are set in the same typeface, was created by [[Barbara Stauffacher Solomon]] as part of [[Ulrich Franzen|Ulrich Franzen's]] 1984 expansion of the campus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ny.curbed.com/2017/7/14/15969114/nyc-subway-upper-east-side-typography|title=The forgotten history of a retro NYC subway entrance|last=Plitt|first=Amy|date=July 14, 2017|website=Curbed NY|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901030538/https://ny.curbed.com/2017/7/14/15969114/nyc-subway-upper-east-side-typography|url-status=live}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* {{NYCS ref|http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/stations?5:350|IRT East Side Line|68th Street}}
* Station Reporter – [https://web.archive.org/web/20131219141200/http://www.stationreporter.net/4train.htm 4 Train]
* Station Reporter – [https://web.archive.org/web/20120204052106/http://www.stationreporter.net/6train.htm 6 Train]
* [https://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=40.767899,-73.964038&spn=0.003843,0.013433&z=17&layer=c&cbll=40.767807,-73.96395&panoid=o-QoG0QiEpSGEg4FG2pX_A&cbp=12,26.72,,0,2.44 68th Street entrance from Google Maps Street View]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7680702,-73.9643173,3a,75y,332.45h,88.59t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1s-_KtDX__r1ec%2FV5BsLGkycYI%2FAAAAAAAALlc%2FlDf0pARP_YcPBpYX_-ShBCAQzN7-0hI8QCLIB!2e4!3e11!6s%2F%2Flh6.googleusercontent.com%2F-_KtDX__r1ec%2FV5BsLGkycYI%2FAAAAAAAALlc%2FlDf0pARP_YcPBpYX_-ShBCAQzN7-0hI8QCLIB%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i9728!8i4864!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1!6m1!1e1 Platforms from Google Maps Street View]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7680702,-73.9643173,3a,75y,339.68h,92.43t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s-HT-rGXT8ySs%2FV5BsIaCuvlI%2FAAAAAAAALTw%2FBZogcfW-PBAWI5kiesxtUJUqcRgEJJD-QCLIB!2e4!6s%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2F-HT-rGXT8ySs%2FV5BsIaCuvlI%2FAAAAAAAALTw%2FBZogcfW-PBAWI5kiesxtUJUqcRgEJJD-QCLIB%2Fw203-h100-p-k-no%2F!7i9728!8i4864!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1!6m1!1e1 Lobby from Google Maps Street View]

{{Upper East Side|state=collapsed}}
{{NYCS stations navbox by service|l6=y|l6x=y}}
{{NYCS stations navbox by line|lexington=yes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:68th Street-Hunter College (IRT Lexington Avenue Line)}}
[[Category:IRT Lexington Avenue Line stations]]
[[Category:New York City Subway stations in Manhattan]]
[[Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1918]]
[[Category:1918 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Upper East Side]]
[[Category:New York City Subway stations at university and college campuses]]