The subway connects practically every part of New York. From Brooklyn to Manhattan. There is no metro on Staten Island, where a special railway line operates. Learn more interesting facts in our article at brooklyn-future.
History
Tunnels make up 65% of the city’s subway network. They pass underground and under the East River. The subway’s overall length is 22.2 kilometers. There are 472 stations that transport a large number of people each day. The metro opened in 1904. Each year, the metropolis grew into a megacity, necessitating the resolution of transportation issues. As a result, it was determined to extend the transportation network. By the way, the first landline was opened for passengers in 1868. After that, four railway lines were constructed. However, the existing lines were unable to relieve the city’s traffic congestion. As a result, the authorities decided to build an entire metro system. This helped relieve traffic, particularly on railways.
Originally, the city planned to construct a pneumatic railway. Passengers were supposed to travel through a tunnel shaped like a pipe. Also, they were intended to drive in a tube-shaped car. Following that, a 95-meter pneumatic tunnel with a car was built in the city. It could accommodate 22 passengers. The residents drove from Broadway Station to the dead end and back. This project was successful. As a result, the government chose to develop it. However, due to the city’s financial difficulties, they chose to build ground railway lines instead of tunnels. Although, when the first such station was constructed, they opted to reject the concept in favor of the metro.
Initially, the project for the construction of the subway was developed in 1898. Back then, it was decided to dig a shallow tunnel under the city’s streets. Due to a lack of modern technologies, the subway had to be built by hand without the use of special equipment. There were also many accidents during the construction. There were tragic deaths of workers.
The city’s first metro line took four years to build. The first subway station, known as City Hall, became the most beautiful. However, it hasn’t worked since 1945 since it’s outdated. For a variety of reasons, the station does not meet the necessary modern regulations and standards. In 1956, the subway expanded. In particular, a new route was established, indicated on maps by the letter “A”. Already in the late 2000s, 38 ground stations and 277 underground ones were constructed. The deepest of these is 55 meters. It is called 191st Street.
New stage
In 2014, the City Subway turned 110 years old. Everything has worn out significantly over the years. Stations and tracks needed repairs. Therefore, practically all of them were renovated in the same year. The metro has also introduced ramps and elevators to its stations.
It is worth mentioning that the majority of the underground tunnels run under Manhattan. In contrast, the subway’s ground section is located in Brooklyn.
By the way, the subway’s key feature is that trains run according to specific routes. Trains are also distinctive in that they go nonstop and only stop at certain stops to pick up passengers. It is an express service. There are also others that pick up passengers at every station, local ones. There is also a special stop in Brooklyn, which serves as a route for trains during rush hour. They take turns stopping at certain stations.
Interesting facts
The New York City Subway system is one of the largest in the world. It is also regarded as one of the very first. There are the most stations and cars, with around 6,400 units as of 2019. By the way, the maximum number of cars on the train is eleven. In recent years, annual passenger traffic has averaged 1,698 million people. The metro is open to all passengers around the clock.
