Kingsbridge Road station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)

The Kingsbridge Road station is a local station on the elevated IRT Jerome Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Kingsbridge Road and Jerome Avenue in the Kingsbridge Heights neighborhood of the Bronx, it is served by the 4 train at all times. The station is adjacent to the Kingsbridge Armory. It was constructed by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company as part of the Dual Contracts and opened in 1917.

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.<ref name="chapter 5">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="nycsubway dual">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="DualSystemMap">Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref>

Kingsbridge Road station opened as the northern terminal of the initial section of the line on June 2, 1917. Service was initially operated as a shuttle between Kingsbridge Road and 149th Street, and only the southbound platform was in use at this station.<ref name="1917Opening">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="AnnualReport">Template:Cite book</ref> Through service to the IRT Lexington Avenue Line began on July 17, 1918.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref> This station ceased to be the terminal of the line with the opening of the final extension to Woodlawn on April 15, 1918.<ref name="OpeningtoWoodlawn">Template:Cite news</ref> This section was initially served by shuttle service, with passengers transferring at 167th Street.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The construction of the line encouraged development along Jerome Avenue, and led to the growth of the surrounding communities.<ref name="1917Opening"/> The city government took over the IRT's operations on June 12, 1940.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="p1248134780">Template:Cite news</ref>

Later years

In May 2018, New York City Transit Authority President Andy Byford announced his plan subway and bus modernization plan, known as Fast Forward, which included making an additional 50 stations compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 during the 2020–2024 Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Capital Program to allow most riders to have an accessible station every two or three stops.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="fastforward">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The draft 2020–2024 Capital Program released in September 2019 included 66 stations that would receive ADA improvements.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In December, the MTA announced that an additional twenty stations, including Kingsbridge Road, would be made ADA-accessible as part of the Capital Program.<ref name="MTA Access Dec 2019">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In May 2024, the Federal Transit Administration awarded the MTA $157 million for accessibility renovations at five stations, including Kingsbridge Road.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="Gonella 2024 s330">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The funds would be used to add elevators, signs, and public-announcement systems, as well as repair platforms and stairs, at each station.<ref name="Gonella 2024 s330"/>

Station layout

Template:NYCS Platform Layout IRT Jerome Avenue Line The station has three tracks and two side platforms.<ref name="tracks">Template:NYCS const</ref> The 4 stops here at all times.<ref name="tt4">Template:NYCS const</ref> The middle track is generally not used in revenue service. It is a typical IRT elevated station.<ref name="tracks"/> The Kingsbridge Armory rises immediately to the west of the station.<ref name="Neighborhood Map">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Exits

The station has a wooden mezzanine under the tracks. Exit stairs go to both northern corners of Jerome Avenue and Kingsbridge Road. There are two stairs to the northeast corner and two to the northwest.<ref name="Neighborhood Map"/>

External links

• Template:NYCS ref
• nycsubway.org — Urban Motif Artwork by Mario M. Muller (2006)
• Station Reporter — 4 Train
• The Subway Nut — Kingsbridge Road Pictures Template:Webarchive
• MTA's Arts For Transit — Kingsbridge Road (IRT Jerome Avenue Line)
• Kingsbridge Road entrance from Google Maps Street View
• Platforms from Google Maps Street View