amNewYork Metro, in conjunction with the MTA, present “Ask the MTA,” a column where MTA officials answer your questions about transit service in New York City. If you have a question for the MTA about subways, buses, commuter rails and more, email askthemta@amny.com.
Q: How does the Whispering Gallery work at Grand Central? – Kim A., Lindenhurst
A: Customers have been enjoying the Whispering Gallery since a renovated Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913, after ten years of construction to upgrade the old Grand Central Depot. Located just outside the famous Oyster Bar, people can try it out by standing at the end of one arch and whispering directly at the wall. The person standing diagonally across the corridor at the other side will be able to hear them perfectly despite being 30 feet away.
There’s a science to how it works. Due to the shape and density of the tiles that comprise the curved ceiling, sound waves efficiently bounce along the arch. And with no voids or soft surfaces to absorb the sound, the arch’s corners create optimal spots for acoustical transmission. This was not an intentional design feature by the artist Rafael Guastavino, but it is much-loved, nonetheless. – Mark Saulnier, Grand Central Terminal Architect, Metro-North Railroad
Q: Will full A line service to the Rockaways continue for the whole summer beach season? – Harrison C., Battery Park City
A: Full service was officially restored earlier this week after we rebuilt and fortified aging sections of the A line that were seriously damaged during Superstorm Sandy. That infrastructure is now more modern, more resilient, and better prepared to withstand extreme weather — not only this summer but for generations to come. This investment of new tracks and rail infrastructure means smoother and more reliable service for Rockaway residents.
There is still some additional work to do to bring the project over the finish line, but that won’t start until after Labor Day. We carefully planned this project to minimize the impact on Rockaway businesses that depend on beachgoers and summer tourists. – Jamie Torres-Springer, President, MTA Construction and Development
Q: What’s going on with the dinosaur pop-up at Grand Army Plaza? – Meghan K., Upper East Side
A: Rex’s Dino Store is an art installation and the first (and only) bodega for dinosaurs in New York City. Featuring a hand-crafted 7-foot-tall paper mâché orange dinosaur named Rex, the scene is a life-size diorama of a bodega with prehistoric-themed products and publications with seemingly endless dinosaur puns, like the Maul Street Journal or ClawmondJoy bars.
Created by Brooklyn artists Akiva Leffert and Sarah Cassidy, the installation is a whimsical celebration of New York City bodegas and a childlike exploration of what it’s like to be a New Yorker. Rex’s Dino Store is part of the MTA’s Vacant Unit Activation Program, which aims to fill former retail units in the subway with creative non-traditional public projects and exhibits to make stations more vibrant and welcoming. Those interested in applying to use available spaces can submit proposals on the MTA website, MTA.info. — Mira Atherton, Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships and Sustainability, MTA Construction and Development
