183rd Street station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)

History

Construction and opening

The Dual Contracts, which were signed on March 19, 1913, were contracts for the construction and/or rehabilitation and operation of rapid transit lines in the City of New York. The contracts were "dual" in that they were signed between the City and two separate private companies (the Interborough Rapid Transit Company and the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company), all working together to make the construction of the Dual Contracts possible. The Dual Contracts promised the construction of several lines in the Bronx. As part of Contract 3, the IRT agreed to build an elevated line along Jerome Avenue in the Bronx.

183rd Street station opened as part of the initial section of the line to Kingsbridge Road on June 2, 1917. Service was initially operated as a shuttle between Kingsbridge Road and 149th Street. Through service to the IRT Lexington Avenue Line began on July 17, 1918. The line was completed with a final extension to Woodlawn on April 15, 1918. This section was initially served by shuttle service, with passengers transferring at 167th Street. The construction of the line encouraged development along Jerome Avenue, and led to the growth of the surrounding communities. The city government took over the IRT's operations on June 12, 1940.

Later years

In 1995, as a result of budget crisis, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority considered a package of service reductions, including permanently closing the 183rd Street station, as well as two or three other stations citywide, due to its proximity to other stations.

Beginning on March 5, 2007, 183rd Street and Kingsbridge Road were closed for renovation as part of a $55 million contract to renovate five stops on the IRT Jerome Avenue Line. The other three stops in the contract (Burnside Avenue, Mosholu Parkway, and Bedford Park Boulevard) were already renovated before then. This work was completed in twelve weeks on May 21, about eight weeks ahead of schedule.

Station layout

The station has three tracks and two side platforms. The middle track is generally not used in revenue service. The 4 stops here at all times.

There are old style signs painted over and covered up with new style signs, and a crossunder exists within fare control.

The 2008 artwork here is called Many Trails by Jose Ortiz. It features laminated glass windows in the mezzanine of the western station house, depicting the cultural history of University Heights.

Exits

The station has a wooden mezzanine under the tracks. Outside of fare control, exits go to the northwest, southwest, and southeast corner of the staggered intersection of Jerome Avenue and 183rd Street.

References

References

1. {{cite NYC bus map. Bx
2. (1913). "New Subways For New York: The Dual System of Rapid Transit Chapter 5: Terms and Conditions of Dual System Contracts". New York Public Service Commission.
3. (1912). "The Dual System of Rapid Transit (1912)". New York State Public Service Commission.
4. (September 9, 1917). "Most Recent Map of the Dual Subway System Which Shows How Brooklyn Borough Is Favored In New Transit Lines". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
5. (June 1917). "Service Begun on the Jerome Avenue Line". Public Service Record.
6. (1917). "Annual report of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company For The Year Ended June 30, 1917". Interborough Rapid Transit Company.
7. (1922). "Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
8. (April 13, 1918). "Jerome Av. Line Ordered Opened.". The New York Times.
9. (1916). "Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
10. (1993). "A History of the New York City Subway System". J. Schmidt, R. Giglio, and K. Lang.
11. (1940-06-13). "City Transit Unity Is Now a Reality; Title to I.R.T. Lines Passes to Municipality, Ending 19-Year Campaign". The New York Times.
12. (June 13, 1940). "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". New York Herald Tribune.
13. Perez-Pena, Richard. (February 25, 1995). "Board Votes Cuts For City Transit". The New York Times.
14. (March 5, 2007). "Kingsbridge Road and 183rd Street Stations 4 Will Close for Four and One-Half Months While Under Rehabilitation". Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
15. {{NYCS const. trackref. trackbook
16. {{NYCS const. timetable. 4
17. "183rd Street - Jose Ortiz - Many Trails, 2008". Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
18. (April 2018). "183rd Street Neighborhood Map". Metropolitan Transportation Authority.