33rd, 40th, and 46th Streets were originally respectively known as Rawson, Lowery, and Bliss Streets until the 1930s, when they were given numbered street names. To avoid confusion, the 33rd Street–Rawson Street, 40th Street–Lowery Street, and 46th Street–Bliss Street stations displayed both the new and old names of the respective street. Since a New York City Transit Authority rule prohibited subway stations from being named after nonexistent streets, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) removed the old names of each street from station signs and subway maps in 1998. Local residents opposed the renaming and unsuccessfully attempted to persuade the MTA to restore the old names. The New York City Council passed a law in July 2003, giving both the old and new names to all three streets; after new street signs were installed in September 2003, the MTA agreed to restore the old names of each station. In December 2019, the MTA announced that this station would become ADA-accessible as part of the agency's 2020–2024 Capital Program. Station layout The station has two side platforms and three tracks. The center track is used by peak-direction <7> express trains during rush hours. Exits Both exits are under the tracks in the median of Queens Boulevard. The full-time exit is at 33rd Street, with two stairs from each platform, and the part-time exit is at 34th Street, also with two stairs from each platform. The part-time exit has a crossunder to allow free transfers between opposite directions while the full-time one does not, even though it has the layouts that could allow one. Image gallery References External links Station Reporter — 7 Train The Subway Nut — 33rd Street–Rawson Street Pictures MTA's Arts For Transit — 33rd Street–Rawson Street (IRT Flushing Line) 33rd Street entrance from Google Maps Street View 34th Street entrance from Google Maps Street View Platforms from Google Maps Street View IRT Flushing Line stations New York City Subway stations in Queens, New York Railway stations in the United States opened in 1917 1917 establishments in New York City