137th Street–City College station

New York City Subway station in Manhattan August 2023 August 2023 137 Street–City College 137th Street–City College IRT Broadway 1053.JPG Southbound platform West 137th Street & BroadwayNew York, New York Manhattan Hamilton Heights 40.821 N 73.954 W inline,title IRT IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line Broadway-Seventh north local NYCT Bus: M4 M5 2 side platforms 3 (2 in regular service) Underground 1904 10 27 ysubscription https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/10/28/118948832.html Our Subway Open: 150,000 Try It; Mayor McClellan Runs the First Official Train. October 28, 1904 The New York Times April 21, 2020 en-US 0362-4331 1 November 12, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201112012129/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1904/10/28/118948832.html live yes New York City Subway Broadway-Seventh local 145th Street 125th Street alltimes y The 137th Street–City College station is a local station on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 137th Street and Broadway in Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, it is served by the 1 train at all times. The station serves the nearby City College of New York and Riverbank State Park. The 137th Street station was constructed for the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) as part of the city's first subway line, which was approved in 1900. Construction of the line segment that includes 137th Street began on May 14 of the same year. The station opened on October 27, 1904, as one of the original 28 stations of the New York City Subway. The station's platforms were lengthened in 1948, and the station was renovated in the late 20th century. The 137th Street station contains two side platforms and three tracks; the center track is not used in regular service. The station was built with tile and mosaic decorations. The platforms contain exits to Broadway's intersection with 137th Street and are not connected to each other within fare control. History Construction and opening right thumb|Northbound platform in 1905 Planning for a subway line in New York City dates to 1864,21 but development of what became the city's first subway line did not start until 1894, when the New York State Legislature passed the Rapid Transit Act.Walker James Blaine https://archive.org/details/fiftyyearsrapid00walkgoog Fifty Years of Rapid Transit — 1864 to 1917 1918 Law Printing New York, N.Y. November 6, 2016139–140 The subway plans were drawn up by a team of engineers led by William Barclay Parsons, the Rapid Transit Commission's chief engineer. It called for a subway line from New York City Hall in lower Manhattan to the Upper West Side, where two branches would lead north into the Bronx.October 23, 1979 Interborough Rapid Transit System, Underground Interior http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1096.pdf November 19, 2019 New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission September 21, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200921135400/https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1096.pdf live3 A plan was formally adopted in 1897,148 and all legal conflicts over the route alignment were resolved near the end of 1899.161 The Rapid Transit Construction Company, organized by John B. McDonald and funded by August Belmont Jr., signed the initial Contract 1 with the Rapid Transit Commission in February 1900,https://archive.org/details/cu31924022794253/page/n253/mode/2up?q=april+28 Report of the Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners for the City of New York For The Year Ending December 31, 1904 Accompanied By Reports of the Chief Engineer and of the Auditor Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners 1905 229–236 under which it would construct the subway and maintain a 50-year operating lease from the opening of the line.165 In 1901, the firm of Heins & LaFarge was hired to design the underground stations.4 Belmont incorporated the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) in April 1902 to operate the subway.182 The 137th Street station was constructed as part of the IRT's West Side Line (now the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line) from 133rd Street to a point 100 ft north of 182nd Street. Work on this section was conducted by L. B. McCabe & Brother, who started building the tunnel segment on May 14, 1900. On that date, a groundbreaking ceremony took place at Broadway and 156th Street, one block south of the 157th Street station site.May 15, 1900 Ground Broken for the Big Tunnel; Ceremonies on Washington Heights Where the Work Begins https://www.nytimes.com/1900/05/15/archives/group-broken-for-the-big-tunnel-ceremonies-on-washington-heights.html 2026-08-07 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 The section of the West Side Line around this station was originally planned as a two-track line, but in early 1901, was changed to a three-track structure to permit train storage in the center track.https://books.google.com/books?id=PLonAAAAYAAJ&q=Third+Track+North+of+Fort+George&pg=PA242 Report of the Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners For And In The City of New York Up to December 31, 1901 1902 Board of Rapid Transit Railroad Commissioners en December 23, 2020 May 2, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220502022956/https://books.google.com/books?id=PLonAAAAYAAJ&q=Third+Track+North+of+Fort+George&pg=PA242 live93https://books.google.com/books?id=kKUlAQAAIAAJ&q=november+26%2C+1904+subway+extension&pg=PA191 Report of the Public Service Commission For The First District of the State of New York For The Year Ending December 31, 1909 1910 Public Service Commission Albany en December 23, 2020 April 22, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220422120155/https://books.google.com/books?id=kKUlAQAAIAAJ&q=november+26%2C+1904+subway+extension&pg=PA191 live189–190 A third track was added directly north of 96th Street, immediately east of the originally planned two tracks.October 2004 New York City's Subway Turns 100 https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2004-10-bulletin.pdf dead The Bulletin Electric Railroaders' Association 47 10 https://web.archive.org/web/20180403051535/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/2004-10-bulletin.pdf April 3, 2018 April 2, 201814 By late 1903, the subway was nearly complete, but the IRT Powerhouse and the system's electrical substations were still under construction, delaying the system's opening.1861903-11-14 First of Subway Tests; West Side Experimental Trains to be Run by Jan. 1 Broadway Tunnel Tracks Laid, Except on Three Little Sections, to 104th Street -- Power House Delays. en-US The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1903/11/14/archives/first-of-subway-tests-west-side-experimental-trains-to-be-run-by.html 2022-05-10 0362-4331 May 5, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220505030752/https://www.nytimes.com/1903/11/14/archives/first-of-subway-tests-west-side-experimental-trains-to-be-run-by.html live As late as October 26, 1904, the day before the subway was scheduled to open, the walls and ceilings were incomplete.1904-10-26 Clamor for Tickets for Subway Opening; Distribution Plan Criticised by Engineers and Many Others. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1904/10/26/archives/clamor-for-tickets-for-subway-opening-distribution-plan-criticised.html 2023-05-25 0362-4331 The 137th Street station opened on October 27, 1904, as one of the original 28 stations of the New York City Subway from City Hall to 145th Street on the West Side Branch.186 The opening of the first subway line helped contribute to the development of Morningside Heights and Harlem.Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006 National Archives https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75313907 National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017 New York MPS 110th Street--Cathedral Parkway Subway Station (IRT) 75313907 National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: New York8 Service changes and station renovations After the first subway line was completed in 1908,limited https://www.nytimes.com/1908/08/02/archives/our-first-subway-completed-at-last-opening-of-the-van-cortlandt.html Our First Subway Completed At Last — Opening of the Van Cortlandt Extension Finishes System Begun in 1900 — The Job Cost $60,000,000 — A Twenty-Mile Ride from Brooklyn to 242d Street for a Nickel Is Possible Now August 2, 1908 The New York Times November 6, 2016 10 December 23, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211223112020/https://www.nytimes.com/1908/08/02/archives/our-first-subway-completed-at-last-opening-of-the-van-cortlandt.html live the station was served by West Side local and express trains. Express trains began at South Ferry in Manhattan or Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, and ended at 242nd Street in the Bronx. Local trains ran from City Hall to 242nd Street during rush hours, continuing south from City Hall to South Ferry at other times.https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433081730503;view=1up;seq=151 Brooklyn Daily Eagle Almanac Brooklyn Daily Eagle 1916 119 December 23, 2020 May 11, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210511155639/https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433081730503;view=1up;seq=151 live Herries William In 1918, the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line opened south of Times Square–42nd Street, and the original line was divided into an H-shaped system. The original subway north of Times Square thus became part of the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line. Local trains were sent to South Ferry, while express trains used the new Clark Street Tunnel to Brooklyn.August 2, 1918 Open New Subway Lines to Traffic; Called a Triumph 1 The New York Times subscription https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/08/02/97011929.pdf October 4, 2011 0362-4331 February 21, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210221065215/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/08/02/97011929.pdf live To address overcrowding, in 1909, the New York Public Service Commission proposed lengthening the platforms at stations along the original IRT subway.Hood Clifton 1978 The Impact of the IRT in New York City https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf December 20, 2020 Historic American Engineering Record 146–207 (PDF pp. 147–208) January 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210117001227/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf live168 As part of a modification to the IRT's construction contracts made on January 18, 1910, the company was to lengthen station platforms to accommodate ten-car express and six-car local trains. In addition to $1.5 million (equivalent to $c US 1.5 1910 1 million in US) spent on platform lengthening, $500,000 (equivalent to $c US 0.5 1910 1 million in US) was spent on building additional entrances and exits. It was anticipated that these improvements would increase capacity by 25 percent.https://books.google.com/books?id=0fBLAQAAMAAJ&q=+zoological+station&pg=PA596 Report of the Public Service Commission for the First District of the State of New York For The Year Ending December 31, 1910 1911 Public Service Commission en January 7, 2021 January 20, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210120015525/https://books.google.com/books?id=0fBLAQAAMAAJ&q=%20zoological%20station&pg=PA596 live15 The northbound platform at the 137th Street station was extended 150 ft to the south,112 while the southbound platform was not lengthened.106 Six-car local trains began operating in October 1910,168 and ten-car express trains began running on the West Side Line on January 24, 1911.168limited https://www.nytimes.com/1911/01/23/archives/tencar-trains-in-subway-today-new-service-begins-on-lenox-av-line.html Ten-car Trains in Subway to-day; New Service Begins on Lenox Av. Line and Will Be Extended to Broadway To-morrow. January 23, 1911 The New York Times April 5, 2018 en-US 0362-4331 April 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180405224750/https://www.nytimes.com/1911/01/23/archives/tencar-trains-in-subway-today-new-service-begins-on-lenox-av-line.html live Subsequently, the station could accommodate six-car local trains, but ten-car trains could not open some of their doors. The city government took over the IRT's operations on June 12, 1940.1940-06-13 City Transit Unity Is Now a Reality; Title to I.R.T. Lines Passes to Municipality, Ending 19-Year Campaign en-US The New York Times subscription https://www.nytimes.com/1940/06/13/archives/city-transit-unity-is-now-a-reality-title-to-irt-lines-passes-to.html 2022-05-14 0362-4331 January 7, 2022 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 live 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 25 New York Herald Tribune 1248134780 Platforms at IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line stations between 103rd Street IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line and 238th Street IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, including those at 137th Street, were lengthened to 514 ft between 1946 and 1948, allowing full ten-car express trains to stop at these stations. A contract for the platform extensions at 137th Street and eight other stations on the line was awarded to Spencer, White & Prentis Inc. in October 1946,Crowell Paul October 11, 1946 Improvement Costs Voted for Subway; Board of Estimate Appropriates $31,291,000 for New Cars and Station Lengthening en-US 24 The New York Times subscription https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/10/11/94061958.pdf July 28, 2021 0362-4331 May 21, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220521165007/http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/10/11/94061958.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live with an estimated cost of $3.891 million.11 Oct 1946 City Approves $35,153,000 Subway Outlay: Board of Estimate Awards Contract for 400 Cars and 10 Station Projects 40 New York Herald Tribune 1941-0646 1287183692 The platform extensions at these stations were opened in stages. On April 6, 1948, the platform extension at 137th Street opened.Report for the three and one-half years ending June 30, 1949. 1949 New York City Board of Transportation 2027/mdp.39015023094926subscription https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/07/10/86748393.pdf More Long Platforms – Five Subway Stations on IRT to Accommodate 10-Car Trains July 10, 1948 The New York Times March 27, 2016 8 0362-4331 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524041114/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1948/07/10/86748393.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false live Simultaneously, the IRT routes were given numbered designations with the introduction of "R-type" rolling stock, which contained rollsigns with numbered designations for each service.Brown Nicole How did the MTA subway lines get their letter or number? NYCurious amNewYork May 17, 2019 https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ January 27, 2021 March 2, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210302020704/https://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-subway-name-1-31116195/ live The route to 242nd Street became known as the 1.Friedlander Alex Lonto Arthur Raudenbush Henry April 1960 A Summary of Services on the IRT Division, NYCTA https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf New York Division Bulletin Electric Railroaders' Association 3 1 2 January 27, 2021 September 14, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200914232631/https://erausa.org/pdf/bulletin/1960/1960-01-bulletin.pdf dead In 1959, all 1 trains became local.February 7, 1959 Wagner Praises Modernized IRT — Mayor and Transit Authority Are Hailed as West Side Changes Take Effect 21 The New York Times subscription https://www.nytimes.com/1959/02/07/archives/wagner-praises-modernized-irt-mayor-and-transit-authority-are.html?_r=0 November 6, 2016 January 1, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180101082503/http://www.nytimes.com/1959/02/07/archives/wagner-praises-modernized-irt-mayor-and-transit-authority-are.html?_r=0 live In 1981, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority listed the station among the 69 most deteriorated stations in the subway system.Gargan Edward A. limited https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/11/nyregion/agency-lists-its-69-most-deteriorated-subway-stations.html Agency Lists Its 69 Most Deteriorated Subway Stations June 11, 1981 The New York Times August 13, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20190331204421/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/06/11/nyregion/agency-lists-its-69-most-deteriorated-subway-stations.html March 31, 2019 B5S 0362-4331 A renovation of the 137th Street station was funded as part of the MTA's 1980–1984 capital plan.Goldman Ari L. April 28, 1983 M.T.A. Making Major Addition to Capital Plan en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/28/world/mta-making-major-addition-to-capital-plan.html May 4, 2023 0362-4331 April 25, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220425151916/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/28/world/mta-making-major-addition-to-capital-plan.html live The MTA received a $106 million grant from the Urban Mass Transit Administration in October 1983; most of the grant would fund the renovation of eleven stations,Moses Charles T. October 3, 1983 TA Gets Funds to Fix Subways 3 Newsday 2574-5298 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/124100045/ta-gets-funds-to-fix-subwayscharles-t/ May 5, 2023Gargan Edward A. October 3, 1983 City Speeding Its Subway Repairs en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/03/nyregion/city-speeding-its-subway-repairs.html May 5, 2023 0362-4331 April 28, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220428025331/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/03/nyregion/city-speeding-its-subway-repairs.html live including 137th Street. Before Barack Obama became president of the United States, one of his first community organizing efforts after graduating from Columbia University was in conjunction with drawing attention to the poor condition of the station. In 1984 or 1985, Obama, who was working for the New York Public Interest Research Group, was among the leaders of May Day efforts to bring attention to the subway system, particularly the station serving City College. Obama traveled to stations to get people to sign letters addressed to local officials and the MTA. Obama was photographed holding a sign saying "May-Day! May-Day!! Sinking Subway System!"http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/obama-stood-out-even-during-brief-1985-nypirg-job-1.885513 Obama stood out, even during brief 1985 NYPIRG job November 9, 2008 Newsday Jason Fink March 13, 2014 April 7, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140407091915/http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/obama-stood-out-even-during-brief-1985-nypirg-job-1.885513 deadhttp://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Nov/22/tr/hawaii911220348.html Obama's 'lost years' in Manhattan – Hawaii's Newspaper Harpaz Beth J. November 22, 2009 The Honolulu Advertiser live https://web.archive.org/web/20181109111940/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2009/Nov/22/tr/hawaii911220348.html November 9, 2018 July 18, 2016 In April 1988,Brozan Nadine June 4, 1989 'Skip-Stop' Subway Plan Annoys No. 1 Riders The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/04/nyregion/skip-stop-subway-plan-annoys-no-1-riders.html June 15, 2016 0362-4331 August 10, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160810125540/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/04/nyregion/skip-stop-subway-plan-annoys-no-1-riders.html live the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA) unveiled plans to speed up service on the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line through the implementation of a skip-stop service: the 9 train.Moore Keith June 10, 1988 TA's skip-stop plan hit New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25210677/daily_news/ November 8, 2018 November 8, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224523/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/25210677/daily_news/ live When skip-stop service started in 1989, it was only implemented north of 137th Street–City College on weekdays, and it was the northernmost local stop served by both the 1 and the 9.August 20, 1989 #1 Riders: Your Service is Changing New York Daily News https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22823286/daily_news/ November 8, 2018 November 8, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181108224708/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/22823286/daily_news/ liveAugust 1989 Announcing 1 and 9 Skip-Stop Service on the Broadway-Seventh Avenue Line http://subwaynut.com/brochures/1and9skipstop.pdf August 1, 2009 New York City Transit Authority June 26, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200626000015/http://subwaynut.com/brochures/1and9skipstop.pdf deadLorch Donatella August 22, 1989 New Service For Subways On West Side The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/22/nyregion/new-service-for-subways-on-west-side.html June 15, 2016 0362-4331 August 10, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160810113522/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/22/nyregion/new-service-for-subways-on-west-side.html live Skip-stop service ended on May 27, 2005, as a result of a decrease in the number of riders who benefited.Chan Sewell May 25, 2005 On Its Last Wheels, No. 9 Line Is Vanishing on Signs The New York Times limited https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/25/nyregion/25train.html August 29, 2016 0362-4331 March 17, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150317100921/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/25/nyregion/25train.html liveMay 7, 2005 Noteworthy – 9 discontinued http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/9_discont.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20050507104933/http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/9_discont.htm May 7, 2005 September 18, 2016 On January 2, 2007, film student Cameron Hollopeter suffered a seizure in the station and fell off the platform onto the tracks. Wesley Autrey saved his life as a train was approaching.Buckley Cara limited https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/nyregion/03life.html Man Is Rescued by Stranger on Subway Tracks January 3, 2007 The New York Times July 18, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20161214180923/https://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/nyregion/03life.html December 14, 2016 Autrey was given numerous awards and prizes,https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/002-07/mayor-bloomberg-presents-award-subway-hero-wesley-autrey#/0 Mayor Bloomberg Presents Award to Subway Hero Wesley Autrey Loeser Stu Kelly Matthew January 4, 2007 nyc.gov live https://web.archive.org/web/20200421203043/https://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/002-07/mayor-bloomberg-presents-award-subway-hero-wesley-autrey#/1 April 21, 2020 July 18, 2016https://gothamist.com/news/city-honors-awesome-subway-hero-wesley-autrey City Honors Awesome Subway Hero Wesley Autrey Chung Jen January 5, 2007 Gothamist dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081012083733/http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2007/01/05/_subway_rescuer.php October 12, 2008 July 18, 2016 and his two daughters were given a scholarship.Coultan Mark http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/ny-toasts-subway-superman-after-deathdefying-rescue/2007/01/05/1167777281613.html NY toasts Subway Superman after death-defying rescue January 6, 2007 The Age July 18, 2016 live https://web.archive.org/web/20200421203637/https://www.theage.com.au/world/ny-toasts-subway-superman-after-death-defying-rescue-20070106-ge3xo6.html?js-chunk-not-found-refresh=true April 21, 2020 Melbourne thumb|alt=An aboveground elevator structure |The elevator structure on the northbound side of the station In 2019, as part of an initiative to increase the accessibility of the New York City Subway system, the MTA announced that it would install elevators at the 137th Street–City College station as part of the MTA's 2020–2024 Capital Program.http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-announces-20-additional-subway-stations-receive-accessibility Press Release - MTA Headquarters - MTA Announces 20 Additional Subway Stations to Receive Accessibility Improvements Under Proposed 2020-2024 Capital Plan December 19, 2019 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority December 20, 2019 March 22, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200322233116/http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-announces-20-additional-subway-stations-receive-accessibility dead In December 2022, the MTA announced that it would award a $146 million contract for the installation of eight elevators across four stations, including 137th Street.Dec 19, 2022 Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting December 2022 https://new.mta.info/document/102776 July 14, 2022 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority 107–109 Construction efforts on the elevator project at 137th Street began in early 2024 and were expected to be completed by March 2025.https://www.columbiaspectator.com/city-news/2024/04/11/ada-upgrades-at-137th-street-city-college-station-delayed-set-to-finish-by-march-2025/?n=@ Jessica Schwalb April 11, 2024 ADA upgrades at 137th Street-City College station delayed, set to finish by March 2025 Columbia Spectator The accessibility improvements were not completed by October 2025, though plans were made to widen the staircase leading to the uptown platform. An updated release from Shaun Abreu's office indicated that construction on the uptown track access would be finished in January 2026, and the downtown elevator would be in operation by the second quarter of that year.Levingston Miranda October 24, 2025 Construction At 137th Street Station Nearing Finish Line, Officials Say https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/137th-street-subway-station-accessibility-upgrades-move-forward-official-says 2025-11-17 Harlem, NY Patch en The northbound platform ultimately became accessible in May 2026,https://www.mta.info/accessibility/stations May 4, 2026 May 7, 2026 MTA Accessible Stations Metropolitan Transportation Authorityhttps://www.columbiaspectator.com/city-news/2026/10/05/community-members-pushes-for-return-of-farmers-market-in-montefiore-square-park/ Columbia Spectator Community members push for return of farmers market in Montefiore Square Park Aiyana St. Hilaire October 5, 2026 October 9, 2026 followed by the southbound platform that October. Station layout thumb|150px|Mosaic by Heins & LaFarge thumb|150px|Cartouche with three faces This station was part of the original subway, and has two side platforms and three tracks, the center one being an unused express track. The station is served by the 1 at all timestimetable 1 and is between 145th Street to the north and 125th Street to the south.map The platforms were originally 350 ft long, like at other stations north of 96th Street,48 but as a result of the 1948 platform extension, became 520 ft long. The platform extensions are at the southern ends of the original platforms.40 Design As with other stations built as part of the original IRT, the station was constructed using a cut-and-cover method.Scott Charles 1978 Design and Construction of the IRT: Civil Engineering https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf December 20, 2020 Historic American Engineering Record 208–282 (PDF pp. 209–283) January 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210117001227/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf live237 The tunnel is covered by a U-shaped trough that contains utility pipes and wires. This trough contains a foundation of concrete no less than 4 in thick.9 Each platform consists of 3 in cm -thick mid concrete slabs, beneath which are drainage basins. The original platforms contained circular, cast-iron Doric-style columns spaced every 15 ft, while the platform extensions contained I-beam columns. Additional columns between the tracks, spaced every 5 ft, support the jack-arched concrete station roofs.4Framberger David J. 1978 Architectural Designs for New York's First Subway https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf December 20, 2020 Historic American Engineering Record 1–46 (PDF pp. 367–412) January 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210117001227/https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/master/pnp/habshaer/ny/ny0300/ny0387/data/ny0387data.pdf live9 There is a 1 in on gap between the trough wall and the platform walls, which are made of 4 in on-thick brick covered over by a tiled finish.9 The columns have been overlaid with heavy brick blocks. The decorative scheme consists of silver and blue tile tablets (which may not have been original to the station design); white tile bands; a buff terracotta cornice; and green terracotta plaques.40 The mosaic tiles at all original IRT stations were manufactured by the American Encaustic Tile Company, which subcontracted the installations at each station.31 The decorative work was performed by tile contractor Manhattan Glass Tile Company and terracotta contractor Atlantic Terra Cotta Company.40 The mosaics are in pink and black. The ceramic cartouche is also in pink and shows a three-faced figure. The three faces represent "Respice", "Adspice", and "Prospice", and are an emblem of the nearby City College. Numerous bronze relief tiles are placed within the station's tile walls as part of Steve Wood's 1988 art installation Fossils. The tiles are present on the walls of both platforms and depict various life forms, such as starfish.Fossils https://www.mta.info/agency/arts-design/collection/fossils 2026-01-05 MTA en Track layout In the past, 137th Street was sometimes used as a terminal station. There are switches north of the station that allow northbound trains to enter the underground 137th Street Yard, then return to the other side of the station for the next trip south. The center express track that passes through the station is currently unused in revenue service.trackref trackbook3 Just south of the station, the tracks emerge onto the Manhattan Valley Viaduct. The line is elevated at 125th Street, and then underground once again at 116th Street–Columbia University, allowing trains to maintain a relatively level grade while passing through highly uneven terrain. Exits thumb|Street stair Both platforms have same-level fare control containing a bank of turnstiles and staircases to the street. The northbound platform has one wide staircase and an elevator on the northeast corner of Broadway and 137th Street,MTA Accessible Stations MTA 2026-09-14 https://www.mta.info/accessibility/stations 2026-10-05 which is frequently passed through by City College of New York students leaving the station,Brenner Lucy As reopening approaches, residents come together to address safety concerns in Montefiore Square https://www.columbiaspectator.com/city-news/2021/03/10/as-reopening-approaches-residents-come-together-to-address-safety-concerns-in-montefiore-square/ 2025-01-16 Columbia Daily Spectator and the southbound platform has a token booth and one staircase leading up to the northwestern corner of Broadway and West 137th Street. A southbound elevator has been under construction since late 2025. There are no crossovers or crossunders to allow transfers between directions.Harlem/Hamilton Heights https://web.archive.org/web/20211026174455/http://web.mta.info/maps/neighborhoods/mn/M19_harlem_ham_hts_2015.pdf October 26, 2021 Archived References Further reading Stookey Lee Subway ceramics : a history and iconography of mosaic and bas relief signs and plaques in the New York City subway system L. Stookey Brattleboro, Vt 1994 978-0-9635486-1-0 31901471 External links http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/stations?6:45 IRT West Side Line 137th Street nycsubway.org – Fossils Artwork by Steve Wood (1988) Station Reporter – 1 Train Forgotten NY – Original 28 – NYC's First 28 Subway Stations The Subway Nut – 137th Street–City College Pictures https://web.archive.org/web/20190212103901/http://www.subwaynut.com/irt/137n1/index.php February 12, 2019 MTA's Arts For Transit – 137th Street–City College (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line) 137th Street entrance from Google Maps Street View Platforms from Google Maps Street View y yes collapsed Category:IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line stations Category:Broadway (Manhattan) Category:New York City Subway stations in Manhattan Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1904 Category:Hamilton Heights, Manhattan Category:1904 establishments in New York City