BMT Myrtle Avenue Line

Last updated

BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
NYCS-bull-trans-M-Std.svg
The M train serves the entire remaining section of BMT Myrtle Avenue Line, east of Broadway, at all times. The section west of Broadway has been demolished following its closure.
Overview
Owner City of New York
Termini
Stations7
Service
Type Rapid transit
System New York City Subway
Operator(s) New York City Transit Authority
Daily ridership29,422 [1]
History
Opened1889–1915
Closed1969 (segment west of Central Avenue)
Technical
Number of tracks2
CharacterStreet level (Metropolitan Avenue only)
Elevated
Track gauge 4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm)
Electrification 600V DC third rail
Route map

Contents

BSicon uKHSTACCa.svg
Middle Village–Metropolitan Avenue
BSicon uKDSTaq.svg
BSicon lhSTRa@f.svg
BSicon uABZgr.svg
BSicon uhHST.svg
Fresh Pond Road
BSicon uhHST.svg
Forest Avenue
BSicon uhHST.svg
Seneca Avenue
BSicon uhSTR+GRZq.svg
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon uhHST.svg
BSicon uHSTACC.svg
BSicon utSTRq.svg
BSicon utCONTfq.svg
Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues
BSicon uhHST.svg
Knickerbocker Avenue
BSicon uhHST.svg
Central Avenue
BSicon uxhABZg2.svg
BSicon uhSTRc3.svg
BSicon uhSTRc2.svg
BSicon MSTR.svg
BSicon uexhSTR.svg
BSicon uhSTRc1.svg
BSicon ulCONTf1.svg
BSicon uhABZ3+14.svg
BSicon uhSTRc2.svg
BSicon ulBHF.svg
BSicon uxhKRZ3+1ho.svg
BSicon uhSTRc4.svg
Myrtle Avenue–Broadway
BSicon uhCONT1.svg
BSicon MSTR.svg
BSicon uexhSTR.svg
BSicon uhSTRc4.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon uxhKRZt.svg
BSicon utCONTfq.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhABZg+l.svg
BSicon uexhCONTfq.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhABZg+l.svg
BSicon uexhCONTfq.svg
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon uxhKRZt.svg
BSicon utCONTfq.svg
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon uxhKRZt.svg
BSicon utCONTfq.svg
BSicon utCONTgq.svg
BSicon uexhSTR.svg
BSicon ulBHF.svg
BSicon utSTRq.svg
BSicon utCONTfq.svg
Bridge–Jay Streets
BSicon uexhHST.svg
BSicon uexhABZg+l.svg
BSicon uexhCONTfq.svg
BSicon uexhBHF.svg
BSicon uexhKRZW.svg
BSicon uexhKBHFe.svg

The Myrtle Avenue Line, also called the Myrtle Avenue Elevated, [2] is a fully elevated line of the New York City Subway as part of the BMT division. The line is the last surviving remnant of one of the original Brooklyn elevated railroads. The remnant line operates as a spur branch from the Jamaica Line to Bushwick, Ridgewood, and Middle Village, terminating at its original eastern terminal across the street from Lutheran Cemetery. Until 1969, the line continued west into Downtown Brooklyn and, until 1944, over the Brooklyn Bridge to the Park Row Terminal in Manhattan.

Extent and service

The following services use part or all of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line: [3]

 Time periodSection of line
NYCS-bull-trans-M-Std.svg All timesMetropolitan Avenue to west of Central Avenue

The Myrtle Avenue Line is served by the M service. The line begins at Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village, Queens. It heads southwest along a private right-of-way, eventually joining an elevated structure above Palmetto Street in Ridgewood and Myrtle Avenue in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Bushwick. Just before reaching Broadway (on which the BMT Jamaica Line operates), the line curves to the left and merges into the Jamaica Line tracks just east of the Myrtle Avenue station. [4] The still-existing upper level of the station, which was called "Broadway", opened in 1889 and closed on October 4, 1969.

History

Opening

Myrtle Avenue Line stub at Lewis Avenue and Myrtle Avenue, left standing after the line's western portion was demolished in October 1969 Myrtle Av Line stub vc.jpg
Myrtle Avenue Line stub at Lewis Avenue and Myrtle Avenue, left standing after the line's western portion was demolished in October 1969

The first section of the line ran over Myrtle Avenue from Johnson and Adams Streets to a junction with what was then known as the Main Line at Grand Avenue. It opened on April 10, 1888, by the Union Elevated Railroad Company, which was leased to the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad for its operation. [5] [6] Trains continued along Grand Avenue and Lexington Avenue to Broadway, where the line joined the Broadway Elevated, and then along Broadway to East New York. On September 1, 1888, the line was extended westward along Adams Street and Sands Street, to a terminal at Washington Street for the Brooklyn Bridge. On April 27, 1889, the line was extended east along Myrtle Avenue to Broadway, and to Wyckoff Avenue (at the Brooklyn/Queens border) on July 20, 1889. [5] [6] However, the station at Knickerbocker Avenue did not open until August 15, 1889. [7]

The west end of the line was extended north along Adams Street to an elevated station over Sands Street and High Street in 1896. The connection to the Brooklyn Bridge tracks opened on June 18, 1898, along a private right-of-way halfway between Concord Street and Cathedral Place. The first trains to use it came from the Fifth Avenue Elevated (using the Myrtle Avenue El west of Hudson Avenue).

Historic photos of the Myrtle Viaduct (41696907122).jpg
Construction on the Myrtle Viaduct in 1913. The viaduct connects the BMT Myrtle Avenue and Jamaica lines
Myrtle Viaduct Reconstruction (41020553194).jpg
The Myrtle Viaduct 100 years later, after reconstruction

In 1906 the el was connected via a ramp to the Lutheran Cemetery Line, a former steam dummy line to Metropolitan Avenue that had opened on September 3, 1881. That section was elevated as part of the Dual Contracts on February 22, 1915. [6] [8] [9] [10]

Connection to the Broadway Line

On July 29, 1914, the connection to the Broadway-Brooklyn Line was opened, allowing Myrtle Avenue Line trains to operate via the Williamsburg Bridge. [9] Construction on this connection began in August 1913. [10] This service became BMT 10 in 1924, and the original Myrtle Avenue Line service to Park Row became BMT 11, later referred to as M and MJ (although the MJ designation never appeared on any equipment used on the line).

As part of the Dual Contracts rebuilding of the Myrtle Avenue El, a third track was installed north of Myrtle Avenue. This track started from a point south of Central Avenue through Myrtle – Wyckoff Avenues to a bumper just south of Seneca Avenue. The only switches were at the southern end so the center track could only be used for layups (parking). It was never used in revenue service and was removed by 1946.

In Fiscal Year 1930, the platforms at Seneca Avenue were lengthened to accommodate an eight-car train of Standard subway cars. [11]

Truncation and later years

On March 5, 1944, the line west of Bridge–Jay Streets was closed coincident with the end of elevated service over the Brooklyn Bridge. [12] [6] On January 21, 1953, the Grand Avenue station was closed so that it could be torn down and therefore complete the demolition of the BMT Lexington Avenue Line. [13] The rest of the line from Broadway to Jay Street closed on October 4, 1969, and was demolished soon afterward, ending the MJ service. [14] A free transfer to the B54 bus replaced the MJ, and service was increased on that bus. The free transfer at Jay Street was also replaced with a bus transfer. [15]

In 1986, the New York City Transit Authority launched a study to determine whether to close 79 stations on 11 routes, including the remaining portion of the Myrtle Avenue Line, due to low ridership and high repair costs. [16] [17] Numerous figures, including New York City Council member Carol Greitzer, criticized the plans. [17] [18]

In July 2017, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority started rebuilding two parts of the Myrtle Avenue Line, the 310-foot-long (94 m) approaches to the junction with the BMT Jamaica Line (which lasted until April 2018, requiring suspension of service between Wyckoff and Myrtle Avenues), and the Fresh Pond Bridge over the Montauk Branch in Queens (which lasted from July to September 2017). [19] [20] This work was undertaken in preparation for a reconstruction of the BMT Canarsie Line tunnels under the East River, which took place between 2019 and 2020. [21] [22] [19] Regular service resumed on April 30, 2018. [23]

Station listing

Station service legend
NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg Stops all times
Time period details
Wheelchair symbol.svg Station is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Wheelchair symbol.svg  Station is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
in the indicated direction only
Wheelchair symbol.svg  
Aiga elevator.svg Elevator access to mezzanine only
Neighborhood
(approximate)
Wheelchair symbol.svg StationServicesOpenedTransfers and notes
Queens
Middle Village Wheelchair symbol.svg Middle Village–Metropolitan Avenue M   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg October 1, 1906Service extended to pre-existing Lutheran Line station.
Current station is ~100 feet west of the 1906 one.
Ridgewood connecting track to Fresh Pond Yard
Fresh Pond Road M   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg February 22, 1915
Forest Avenue M   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg February 22, 1915
Seneca Avenue M   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg February 22, 1915
Brooklyn
Bushwick Wheelchair symbol.svg Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues M   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg July 20, 1889 [24] BMT Canarsie Line ( L   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg )
Station rebuilt to 3 tracks July 29, 1914; center track subsequently removed.
Knickerbocker Avenue M   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg August 15, 1889 [25] [7] Station rebuilt to 3 tracks July 29, 1914; center track subsequently removed.
Central Avenue M   NYCS-SSI-alltimes.svg July 20, 1889 [24] Station rebuilt to 3 tracks July 29, 1914; center track subsequently removed.
merges into BMT Jamaica Line just east of Myrtle Avenue (connector added July 29, 1914)
Closed section
Bedford–Stuyvesant Broadway April 27, 1889 [26] [27] Station still in place; tracks removed; closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Structure removed west of Reid Avenue
Sumner Avenue April 27, 1889 [26] [27] Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Tompkins Avenue April 27, 1889 [26] [27] Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Nostrand Avenue April 27, 1889 [26] [27] Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Franklin Avenue April 27, 1889 [26] [27] Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Clinton Hill Grand Avenue April 27, 1889 [26] [27] Closed January 21, 1953 [13]
Washington Avenue December 4, 1888 [28] Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Vanderbilt Avenue April 10, 1888[ citation needed ]Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Fort Greene Navy Street April 10, 1888[ citation needed ]Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Downtown Brooklyn Bridge–Jay Streets April 10, 1888[ citation needed ]Earlier known as Bridge Street. Closed October 4, 1969 [15]
Adams Street April 10, 1888 [29] Closed March 5, 1944
Sands Street September 1, 1888 [30] Closed March 5, 1944
Brooklyn Bridge
Civic Center Park Row June 18, 1898 [31] Closed March 5, 1944

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J/Z (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway services

The J Nassau Street Local and Z Nassau Street Express are two rapid transit services in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Their route emblems, or "bullets", are colored brown since they use the BMT Nassau Street Line in Lower Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin Avenue station (Fulton Street)</span> New York City Subway station complex in Brooklyn

The Franklin Avenue station is a station complex shared by the BMT Franklin Avenue Line and the IND Fulton Street Line of the New York City Subway, located at Franklin Avenue and Fulton Street in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. It is served by the:

The BMT Jamaica Line, also known as the Broadway - Brooklyn Line, is an elevated rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, in Brooklyn and Queens, New York City, United States. It runs from the Williamsburg Bridge southeast over Broadway to East New York, Brooklyn, and then east over Fulton Street and Jamaica Avenue to Jamaica, Queens. In western Jamaica, the line goes into a tunnel, becoming the lower level of the Archer Avenue lines in central Jamaica. The J and Z trains serve the entire length of the Jamaica Line, and the M serves the line west of Myrtle Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMT Lexington Avenue Line</span> Former New York City rapid transit line

The BMT Lexington Avenue Line was the first standard elevated railway in Brooklyn, New York, operated in its later days by the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, the Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation, and then the City of New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M (New York City Subway service)</span> New York City Subway service

The M Queens Boulevard/Sixth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service in the B Division of the New York City Subway. Its route emblem, or "bullet", is colored orange since it is a part of the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrtle Avenue station (BMT Jamaica Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Myrtle Avenue station is a New York City Subway express station on the BMT Jamaica Line. Located at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Broadway in Bushwick, Brooklyn. It is served by the J and M trains at all times, and by the Z during rush hours in peak direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues station</span> New York City Subway station complex in Brooklyn and Queens

The Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues station is a New York City Subway station complex formed by the intersecting stations of the BMT Canarsie Line and the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line, served by the L and M trains at all times. It is located at Myrtle Avenue and Wyckoff Avenue in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn and the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens. The complex is connected by a set of stairs and several elevators and escalators between the elevated and underground levels. The station was renovated completely from 2004 to 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gates Avenue station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Gates Avenue station is a local station on the elevated BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway, located at the intersection of Gates Avenue and Broadway at the border of Bedford–Stuyvesant and Bushwick, Brooklyn. It is served by the Z train during rush hours in the peak direction and by the J train at all other times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Avenue station (BMT Myrtle Avenue Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Central Avenue station is a station on the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at Myrtle Avenue and Cedar Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn, it is served by the M train at all times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hewes Street station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Hewes Street station is a local station on the BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Hewes Street and Broadway in Brooklyn, it is served by the J train at all times except weekdays in the peak direction and the M train at all times except late nights. The Z train skips this station when it operates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flushing Avenue station (BMT Jamaica Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Flushing Avenue station is a local station on the BMT Jamaica Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Flushing Avenue and Broadway in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, it is served by the J train at all times except weekdays in the peak direction and the M train at all times except late nights. The Z train skips this station when it operates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knickerbocker Avenue station</span> New York City Subway station in Brooklyn

The Knickerbocker Avenue station is a station on the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Myrtle and Knickerbocker Avenues in Bushwick, Brooklyn, it is served by the M train at all times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B54 (New York City bus)</span> Bus route in Brooklyn, New York

The B54 is a bus route on Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City. The line travels between Downtown Brooklyn in the west and Myrtle–Wyckoff Avenues station in the east. The B54 operates from MTA New York City Bus's Fresh Pond Depot in Ridgewood, Queens. The route serves only the section of Myrtle Avenue within Brooklyn; the section within Queens is served by the Q55 bus.

The Franklin Avenue station was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line. The station was located at the intersection of Myrtle and Franklin Avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, United States. The station opened in 1889, and closed in 1969.

The Nostrand Avenue station was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line. The station was located at the intersection of Myrtle and Nostrand Avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The station opened in 1889, and closed in 1969.

The Tompkins Avenue station was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line. The station was located at the intersection of Myrtle and Tompkins Avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The station opened in 1889, and closed in 1969.

The Sumner Avenue station was a station on the demolished section of the BMT Myrtle Avenue Line. The station was located at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and Sumner Avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. The station opened in 1889, and closed in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">168th Street station (BMT Jamaica Line)</span> New York City Subway station in Queens (closed 1977)

The 168th Street station was the terminal station on the demolished section of the BMT Jamaica Line in Queens, New York City. It was located between 165th and 168th Streets on Jamaica Avenue.

The Hinsdale Street station was a station on the demolished BMT Fulton Street Line in Brooklyn, New York City, at Pitkin Avenue and Hinsdale Street. It had 3 tracks and 2 side platforms. It opened on November 17, 1918, as a replacement for Eastern Parkway station one block to the west on Snediker Avenue, as part of the Dual Contracts, and had a connecting spur to the BMT Lexington Avenue Line via Manhattan Beach Crossing. It was served by BMT 13 trains until 1940, when they were replaced with BMT 12 trains. It also had a connection to the Bergen Street Line trolleys. It closed on April 26, 1956, along with the rest of the remaining segment of the Fulton Elevated Line west of Hudson Street. The station was not replaced with an underground IND Fulton Street Line station, which runs north along Pennsylvania Avenue towards Broadway Junction; the nearest existing station is Sutter Avenue on the BMT Canarsie Line.

References

  1. "Annual Subway Ridership (2017–2022)". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. "Remembering the Myrtle Avenue El". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. October 19, 2011. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  3. "Subway Service Guide" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  4. Dougherty, Peter (2006) [2002]. Tracks of the New York City Subway 2006 (3rd ed.). Dougherty. OCLC   49777633 via Google Books.
  5. 1 2 Report. January 1, 1890.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Roess, Roger P.; Sansone, Gene (August 23, 2012). The Wheels That Drove New York: A History of the New York City Transit System. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN   9783642304842.
  7. 1 2 "The Fifth Avenue Elevated To Greenwood". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. August 15, 1889. p. 6. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  8. "Article 11 -- No Title" (PDF). The New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  9. 1 2 Senate, New York (State) Legislature (1916). Documents of the Senate of the State of New York. E. Croswell.
  10. 1 2 Senate, New York (State) Legislature (January 1, 1916). Documents of the Senate of the State of New York. E. Croswell.
  11. New York (State). Transit Commission. (1930). Tenth Annual Report, 1930. Columbia University Libraries. Albany, N.Y. : J.B. Lyon Co.
  12. "Brooklyn Bridge "El" Service... To Be Discontinued March 5th". Flickr. New York City Board of Transportation. 1944. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  13. 1 2 "EL' STATION TO BE RAZED; Grand Ave. Stop on Myrtle Ave. Line to End Wednesday". The New York Times. January 17, 1953. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved April 28, 2016.
  14. "1,200 on Last Trip On Myrtle Ave. El; Cars Are Stripped". The New York Times. October 4, 1969. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Myrtle Ave El". www.thejoekorner.com. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  16. Brooke, James (April 29, 1986). "Subway Aides to Weigh Cuts on 11 Routes". The New York Times. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Gordy, Margaret (April 29, 1986). "MTA Studies Citywide Cuts in Subway Lines, Stations". Newsday. pp. 3, 27 . Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  18. Finder, Alan; Connelly, Mary (May 4, 1986). "The Region; On Shrinking The Subways". The New York Times. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  19. 1 2 "Myrtle Avenue Line Infrastructure Projects". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority . Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  20. "mta.info | Myrtle Av Line Infrastructure Projects". web.mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority . Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  21. Rivoli, Dan (March 17, 2016). "M line to be shut down next year for repairs". New York Daily News . Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  22. Brown, Nicole (March 18, 2016). "MTA: M line will shut down for part of next year". am New York. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
  23. Kelley, Ryan (April 25, 2018). "M Train on track to return to full service on Myrtle Ave in Ridgewood next week". QNS.com. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Lost the Second Game". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. July 21, 1889. p. 2.
  25. "To Greenwood on Thursday". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. August 14, 1889. p. 1.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Will Open on Saturday". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . Brooklyn, NY. April 25, 1889. p. 1.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "The Upper Myrtle Avenue Elevated". The Brooklyn Times Union. April 24, 1889. p. 1.
  28. "Opening the Washington Avenue Station". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . Brooklyn, NY. December 4, 1888. p. 6.
  29. "A Start Made". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . Brooklyn, NY. April 10, 1888. p. 6.
  30. "To the Bridge". Brooklyn Daily Eagle . Brooklyn, NY. August 30, 1888. p. 4.
  31. "Brooklyn Bridge Train Service Ends Today -- Trolley Cars Stay On". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle . March 5, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved October 27, 2021 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg

Further reading

Template:Attached KML/BMT Myrtle Avenue Line
KML is from Wikidata