Chrystie Street Connection
Encyclopedia
The Chrystie Street
Connection is a major connecting line of the New York City Subway
, and is one of the few connections between lines of the (former) BMT
and IND
divisions. As a road, Chrystie Street extends northward beyond Houston Street to become Manhattan
's Second Avenue
, and to date the Chrystie Street Connection's two parts are the only part of the long-planned Second Avenue Subway
to be completed and opened to service.
east of Broadway – Lafayette Street with the Williamsburg Bridge
(via the BMT Nassau Street Line
) and the Manhattan Bridge
. It was the first actual integration of BMT and IND lines after the unification of all major lines under New York City
municipal ownership in 1940. Prior to that, the nearest integration of the two previous systems was the operation of BMT trains over part of the IND Queens Boulevard Line
via the BMT
60th Street Tunnel Connection connecting Lexington Avenue / 59th Street on the BMT Broadway Line
to Queens Plaza
on the IND Queens Boulevard Line
in 1955. In that case, however, BMT trains operated on the IND by trackage rights
, using BMT equipment and crews.
express tracks east of Broadway – Lafayette Street. These tracks include the line's only station, Grand Street
, and connections to the two northern tracks over the Manhattan Bridge. The IND Sixth Avenue Line express tracks formerly continued east, ending slightly east of the Second Avenue station, and were planned to extend into Brooklyn
and beyond as part of a major system expansion. Those tracks still exist at Second Avenue station, but now connect to the local tracks west of the station.
The two tracks on the north side of the Manhattan Bridge formerly carried trains to the BMT Broadway Line
. The Broadway Line now connects to the tracks on the south side of the bridge, which before 1967 had connected to the BMT Nassau Street Line
, carrying the Nassau Street Loop
service via Chambers Street. The connection to the Nassau Street Line was cut at the Manhattan Bridge end, and is used for storage from the Nassau Street end.
The opening of the Chrystie Street Connection to the Manhattan Bridge allowed the integration of four major lines of the combined system. The service of the IND was through-routed with the West End Line
service as the (today's D), and the service of the IND was through-routed with the BMT Brighton Line
service.
west of Essex Street. The purpose of this portion of the connector was to allow trains originating in northern and eastern Brooklyn
and southern and eastern Queens
to operate into Midtown Manhattan
via the Sixth Avenue Line, rather than having to turn south along Nassau Street. This service did not prove popular, and only operated from July 1, 1968 to August 29, 1976, when it was cut as part of an ongoing retrenchment of service during New York City's fiscal crisis. The only service on these tracks during that time was the KK, later renamed to the K. The connection was used for a time to move equipment to and from the BMT Eastern Division. As part of the June 27, 2010 service changes, the connection was re-activated for the newly re-routed train. It was rerouted to replace the train to the IND Sixth Avenue Line
and then to 71st – Continental Avenues station in Queens.
The rerouting of M service via the Chrystie Street Connection marked the first time since 1976 that there had been a regularly scheduled service which originated in Queens, went through Brooklyn and Manhattan, and ended back in Queens. However, from 1989 to 1990, when the IND 63rd Street Line
first opened, the JFK Express
's northern terminal was 21st Street – Queensbridge.
station at Sixth Avenue and the bridge connection:
The following adjustments to the new service were put into effect on August 18, 1968:
reconstruction began in 1986, at times making the Chrystie Street Connection unavailable for through trains, and making the Grand Street station a terminal for shuttle service along Houston Street. The Manhattan Bridge re-opened fully in 2004.
and D
services, both of which operate into the Bronx along the IND Concourse Line
, one local and the other express north of 59th Street in Manhattan, and both of which head south towards Coney Island
. The Williamsburg Bridge connection is now used by the service, which had formerly come into Manhattan on the BMT Nassau Street Line
. The was re-routed via Chrystie Street onto the IND Sixth Avenue Line
, continuing from there along the route formerly taken by the service, which was eliminated in a round of service cuts to close a budget gap. As of 2010, the service makes all former stops (except for Second Avenue), starting from Broadway – Lafayette Street, and terminating at Forest Hills – 71st Avenue.
Chrystie Street
Chrystie Street is a street on Manhattan's Lower East Side. It runs for about seven blocks, from Canal Street to East Houston Street. Chrystie Street extends northward to become Second Avenue....
Connection is a major connecting line of the New York City Subway
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
, and is one of the few connections between lines of the (former) BMT
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
and IND
Independent Subway System
The Independent Subway System , formerly known as the Independent City-Owned Subway System or the Independent City-Owned Rapid Transit Railroad, was a rapid transit rail system in New York City that is now part of the New York City Subway...
divisions. As a road, Chrystie Street extends northward beyond Houston Street to become Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
's Second Avenue
Second Avenue (Manhattan)
Second Avenue is an avenue on the East Side of the New York City borough of Manhattan extending from Houston Street at its south end to the Harlem River Drive at 128th Street at its north end. A one-way street, vehicular traffic runs only downtown. A bicycle lane in the left hand portion from 55th...
, and to date the Chrystie Street Connection's two parts are the only part of the long-planned Second Avenue Subway
Second Avenue Subway
The Second Avenue Subway is a planned rapid transit subway line, part of the New York City Subway system. Phase I, consisting of two miles of tunnel and three stations, is currently under construction underneath Second Avenue in the borough of Manhattan.A plan for more than 75 years, the Second...
to be completed and opened to service.
Extent and service
The line, which opened on November 26, 1967, connects the IND Sixth Avenue LineIND Sixth Avenue Line
The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
east of Broadway – Lafayette Street with the Williamsburg Bridge
Williamsburg Bridge
The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City across the East River connecting the Lower East Side of Manhattan at Delancey Street with the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn at Broadway near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway...
(via the BMT Nassau Street Line
BMT Nassau Street Line
The BMT Nassau Street Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway system in Manhattan. It is served by the and trains which are colored brown on maps and signage...
) and the Manhattan Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges...
. It was the first actual integration of BMT and IND lines after the unification of all major lines under New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
municipal ownership in 1940. Prior to that, the nearest integration of the two previous systems was the operation of BMT trains over part of the IND Queens Boulevard Line
IND Queens Boulevard Line
The Queens Boulevard Line is a fully underground line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan and Queens, New York City, United States. The line provides crosstown service across Manhattan under 53rd Street and east through Queens to Jamaica...
via the BMT
Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation
The Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation was an urban transit holding company, based in Brooklyn, New York City, United States, and incorporated in 1923. The system was sold to the city in 1940 and today, together with the IND subway system, form the B Division of the New York City Subway...
60th Street Tunnel Connection connecting Lexington Avenue / 59th Street on the BMT Broadway Line
BMT Broadway Line
The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
to Queens Plaza
Queens Plaza (IND Queens Boulevard Line)
Queens Plaza is an express station on the IND Queens Boulevard Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the large Queens Plaza interchange, it is served by the E train at all times, by the R train at all times except late nights, and by the M train on weekdays except late nights.While situated...
on the IND Queens Boulevard Line
IND Queens Boulevard Line
The Queens Boulevard Line is a fully underground line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan and Queens, New York City, United States. The line provides crosstown service across Manhattan under 53rd Street and east through Queens to Jamaica...
in 1955. In that case, however, BMT trains operated on the IND by trackage rights
Arrangements between railroads
Railway companies can interact with and control others in many ways. These relationships can be complicated by bankruptcies.-Operating:Often, when a railroad first opens, it is only a short spur of a main line. The owner of the spur line may contract with the owner of the main line for operation of...
, using BMT equipment and crews.
Manhattan Bridge connection
The two tracks that run the full length of the connection begin as a continuation of the IND Sixth Avenue LineIND Sixth Avenue Line
The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
express tracks east of Broadway – Lafayette Street. These tracks include the line's only station, Grand Street
Grand Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)
Grand Street is a station in Manhattan on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. It was one of two stations added in 1967–68 as part of the Chrystie Street Connection . It is served by the D at all times and the B on weekdays.The station has two tracks and two narrow side platforms...
, and connections to the two northern tracks over the Manhattan Bridge. The IND Sixth Avenue Line express tracks formerly continued east, ending slightly east of the Second Avenue station, and were planned to extend into Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and beyond as part of a major system expansion. Those tracks still exist at Second Avenue station, but now connect to the local tracks west of the station.
The two tracks on the north side of the Manhattan Bridge formerly carried trains to the BMT Broadway Line
BMT Broadway Line
The BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
. The Broadway Line now connects to the tracks on the south side of the bridge, which before 1967 had connected to the BMT Nassau Street Line
BMT Nassau Street Line
The BMT Nassau Street Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway system in Manhattan. It is served by the and trains which are colored brown on maps and signage...
, carrying the Nassau Street Loop
BMT Brooklyn Loops
The Nassau Street Loop, also called the Nassau Loop, was a service pattern of the Brooklyn–Manhattan Transit Corporation inaugurated in 1931 when the BMT Nassau Street Line was completed, providing a physical link that allowed a train to originate in Brooklyn, run through lower Manhattan and...
service via Chambers Street. The connection to the Nassau Street Line was cut at the Manhattan Bridge end, and is used for storage from the Nassau Street end.
The opening of the Chrystie Street Connection to the Manhattan Bridge allowed the integration of four major lines of the combined system. The service of the IND was through-routed with the West End Line
BMT West End Line
The BMT West End Line is a line of the New York City Subway, serving the Brooklyn, communities of Borough Park, New Utrecht, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Coney Island. The D train operates on the line at all times, providing service to Manhattan and the Bronx via the IND Sixth Avenue Line...
service as the (today's D), and the service of the IND was through-routed with the BMT Brighton Line
BMT Brighton Line
The BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
service.
Williamsburg Bridge connection
The two tracks that connect to the Williamsburg Bridge split from the Sixth Avenue Line local tracks east of Broadway – Lafayette Street and feed into the BMT Nassau Street LineBMT Nassau Street Line
The BMT Nassau Street Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway system in Manhattan. It is served by the and trains which are colored brown on maps and signage...
west of Essex Street. The purpose of this portion of the connector was to allow trains originating in northern and eastern Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
and southern and eastern Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
to operate into Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan
Midtown Manhattan, or simply Midtown, is an area of Manhattan, New York City home to world-famous commercial zones such as Rockefeller Center, Broadway, and Times Square...
via the Sixth Avenue Line, rather than having to turn south along Nassau Street. This service did not prove popular, and only operated from July 1, 1968 to August 29, 1976, when it was cut as part of an ongoing retrenchment of service during New York City's fiscal crisis. The only service on these tracks during that time was the KK, later renamed to the K. The connection was used for a time to move equipment to and from the BMT Eastern Division. As part of the June 27, 2010 service changes, the connection was re-activated for the newly re-routed train. It was rerouted to replace the train to the IND Sixth Avenue Line
IND Sixth Avenue Line
The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
and then to 71st – Continental Avenues station in Queens.
The rerouting of M service via the Chrystie Street Connection marked the first time since 1976 that there had been a regularly scheduled service which originated in Queens, went through Brooklyn and Manhattan, and ended back in Queens. However, from 1989 to 1990, when the IND 63rd Street Line
IND 63rd Street Line
The IND 63rd Street Line is a rapid transit line of the IND division of the New York City Subway system. It runs from the IND Sixth Avenue Line at 57th Street east under 63rd Street and the East River through the 63rd Street Tunnel to the IND Queens Boulevard Line in Queens...
first opened, the JFK Express
JFK Express
The JFK Express, advertised as The Train to The Plane, was a premium-fare service of the New York City Subway, connecting midtown Manhattan to John F. Kennedy International Airport.-Fares and Rolling Stock:...
's northern terminal was 21st Street – Queensbridge.
Service changes
Two major service changes were inaugurated with the opening of the connection. The first went into effect on Sunday, November 26, 1967, when the Manhattan Bridge connection opened. The second occurred on Monday, July 1, 1968, when the Williamsburg Bridge connection opened. Additionally, for the 1967 opening, every service in the system was labeled with a letter or number and a color.Manhattan Bridge connection opening
The opening of the Manhattan Bridge connection on November 26, 1967 was concurrent with the opening of the new express tracks on the Sixth Avenue Line between West Fourth Street – Washington Square and 34th Street, providing additional capacity for the extra trains on the IND via the connection. The following service changes were made:- The rush-hour only BB, which had run between Washington Heights – 168th Street on the IND Eighth Avenue LineIND Eighth Avenue LineThe Eighth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line in New York City, United States, and is part of the B Division of the New York City Subway...
and 34th Street, was relabeled the BB (New York City Subway service)The B Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs over the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
. It was extended via the new Sixth Avenue Line express tracks and the Chrystie Street Connection, then express on the BMT Fourth Avenue LineBMT Fourth Avenue LineThe Fourth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, mainly running under Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. Fourth Avenue never had a streetcar line or elevated railway due to the provisions of the assessment charged to neighboring property owners when the street...
and local on the BMT West End LineBMT West End LineThe BMT West End Line is a line of the New York City Subway, serving the Brooklyn, communities of Borough Park, New Utrecht, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Coney Island. The D train operates on the line at all times, providing service to Manhattan and the Bronx via the IND Sixth Avenue Line...
, terminating at Coney Island – Stillwell Avenue. This latter segment replaced the TT (New York City Subway service)T is a service designation of the New York City Subway. It is not currently in use, but was previously used for a service on the BMT West End Line, originally BMT 3. It was discontinued in 1967, but a shuttle, designated TT, continued into 1968. This shuttle was replaced by the B, which in 2001...
(express via bridge) and TT (local via tunnel) services, leaving only the TT West End Shuttle from the BMT Fourth Avenue LineBMT Fourth Avenue LineThe Fourth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, mainly running under Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn. Fourth Avenue never had a streetcar line or elevated railway due to the provisions of the assessment charged to neighboring property owners when the street...
running to Coney Island during late evenings, late nights and all day Sundays. BB (New York City Subway service)The B Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs over the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
service was added during middays, early evenings, and the same time on Saturdays, but only south of West Fourth Street – Washington Square.
- The QQ (New York City Subway service)The Q Broadway Express is a service of the New York City Subway. It is colored yellow on the route sign, on station signs and the official subway map, as it represents a service provided on the BMT Broadway Line through Manhattan....
(BMT Brighton LineBMT Brighton LineThe BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
express) service was "absorbed" by a rerouted DD (New York City Subway service)The D Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
, which used the Sixth Avenue Line local tracks (except rush hours, when it ran express). It used the Chrystie Street Connection to the BMT Brighton LineBMT Brighton LineThe BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
to Stillwell Avenue (running express in Brooklyn from morning rush hours through early evenings). Formerly, the QQ (New York City Subway service)The Q Broadway Express is a service of the New York City Subway. It is colored yellow on the route sign, on station signs and the official subway map, as it represents a service provided on the BMT Broadway Line through Manhattan....
had run local in Brooklyn (except during morning rush hours and early evenings) and express on the BMT Broadway LineBMT Broadway LineThe BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
in Manhattan, terminating at 57th Street. The pre-1967 QQ (New York City Subway service)The Q Broadway Express is a service of the New York City Subway. It is colored yellow on the route sign, on station signs and the official subway map, as it represents a service provided on the BMT Broadway Line through Manhattan....
ran only weekdays until the mid-evening. The DD (New York City Subway service)The D Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
had previously used the Sixth Avenue Line and IND Culver LineIND Culver LineThe IND Culver Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, extending from Downtown Brooklyn south to Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, United States...
to Coney Island; this service was replaced by the FF (New York City Subway service)The F Sixth Avenue Local is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs on the IND Sixth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
(see below).
- The EE service was added, running weekday rush hours, middays and early evenings, as a local train between Forest Hills – 71st Avenue on the IND Queens Boulevard LineIND Queens Boulevard LineThe Queens Boulevard Line is a fully underground line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan and Queens, New York City, United States. The line provides crosstown service across Manhattan under 53rd Street and east through Queens to Jamaica...
and Whitehall Street – South Ferry on the Broadway LineBMT Broadway LineThe BMT Broadway Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Manhattan, New York City, United States. , it is served by three services, all colored yellow: the on the express tracks and the on the local tracks...
via the BMT 60th Street Tunnel ConnectionBMT 60th Street Tunnel ConnectionThe 60th Street Tunnel Connection or 11th Street Connection is a short rapid transit line of the New York City Subway connecting the BMT 60th Street Tunnel under the East River with the IND Queens Boulevard Line west of Queens Plaza in Long Island City, Queens, New York City, United States...
and the Broadway Line in Manhattan. This replaced the RR, which had formerly used the 60th Street connection during the same times (and was cut back to 57th Street in Manhattan other times). The RR was rerouted to Astoria – Ditmars Boulevard full time. The QT and QB had served Astoria from the BMT Brighton LineBMT Brighton LineThe BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
; the QT was partly replaced with the QJ (see below), and the QB was truncated to 57th Street for rush hour-only service. The DD (New York City Subway service)The D Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
(see above) now served the Brighton Line.
- In a major rerouting affecting Queens riders, the train was considerably extended from its original terminal stops, Broadway – Lafayette Street (morning rush hour to early evening) and 34th Street on the Sixth Avenue Line (other times), into Brooklyn to Stillwell Avenue along the Culver Line (previously serviced by the ). It continued to run express east of Forest Hills – 71st Avenue only during rush hours. For the first time, riders from central Queens had a "one-seat" ride to southern Brooklyn destinations and Coney Island.
- The QJ was added as a rerouting of the old QT, combined with an extension of the old J Jamaica Express, entering Manhattan via the tunnel and extending via the BMT Jamaica LineBMT Jamaica LineThe Jamaica 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...
to 168th Street. Its service hours remained the same, running from morning rush hours through early evening. It continued to run express in western Brooklyn and skip-stop in morning rush hours only in eastern Brooklyn.
- The RJ service was added as an extension of former RR special service on the Nassau Street line, continuing local along the Jamaica Line to 168th Street. It operated only during rush hours.
- The NX was added for a "super-express" service from Brighton BeachBrighton Beach (BMT Brighton Line)Brighton Beach is an express/terminal station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. It is located over Brighton Beach Avenue at Brighton Sixth Street in the community of Brighton Beach on Coney Island in Brooklyn.- Description:...
through the Stillwell Avenue terminal (the only service to do so) and along the BMT Sea Beach LineBMT Sea Beach LineThe BMT Sea Beach Line is a rapid transit line of the BMT division of the New York City Subway, connecting the BMT Fourth Avenue Line subway at 59th Street via a four-track wide open cut to Coney Island in Brooklyn...
and Fourth Avenue Line to 57th Street in Manhattan.
- A free transfer was established between the Atlantic Avenue on the IRT Eastern Parkway LineIRT Eastern Parkway LineIRT Eastern Parkway Line and New Lots Line can refer to:* IRT Eastern Parkway Line* IRT New Lots Line...
and Atlantic Avenue on the BMT Brighton LineBMT Brighton LineThe BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
. While these two stations are both adjacent to the LIRR Atlantic Terminal and each other, their respective fare-control zones had previously been separated.
Williamsburg Bridge connection opening
The following changes went into effect on July 1, 1968, concurrent with the opening of the 57th Street57th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)
57th Street is a station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 57th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times...
station at Sixth Avenue and the bridge connection:
- The KK service commenced between the new 57th Street57th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)57th Street is a station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 57th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times...
station at Sixth Avenue and 168th Street in JamaicaJamaica, QueensJamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Dutch rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp. Under British rule, the Village of Jamaica became the center of the "Town of Jamaica"...
, the only service to use this connection. It operated only during rush hours, running skip-stopSkip-stopSkip-stop is a public transit service pattern which reduces travel times and increases capacity by not having all vehicles make all designated stops along a route. Skip-stops are used in both rail transit and bus transit operations.-Rail operation:...
with the QJ on the BMT Jamaica LineBMT Jamaica LineThe Jamaica 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...
east of Broadway Junction and then local into Manhattan. In Brooklyn, the KK (rush hours) and QJ (other times) replaced the JJ service, which was discontinued. The KK served "A" stops on the skip-stopSkip-stopSkip-stop is a public transit service pattern which reduces travel times and increases capacity by not having all vehicles make all designated stops along a route. Skip-stops are used in both rail transit and bus transit operations.-Rail operation:...
portion of the BMT Jamaica LineBMT Jamaica LineThe Jamaica 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...
, and the QJ served "B" stops. This skip-stop pattern, which had operated only in morning rush hours, was extended into afternoon rush hours, but still ran only in the peak direction.
- The BB (New York City Subway service)The B Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs over the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
service was extended during non-rush hours from its former terminus at West Fourth Street – Washington Square to the new 57th Street57th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)57th Street is a station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 57th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times...
station, using the local tracks of the IND Sixth Avenue LineIND Sixth Avenue LineThe Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
. Rush hour trains continued on the established route to Washington Heights – 168th Street via the express tracks (and the local tracks of the IND Eighth Avenue LineIND Eighth Avenue LineThe Eighth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line in New York City, United States, and is part of the B Division of the New York City Subway...
). The TT shuttle on the BMT West End LineBMT West End LineThe BMT West End Line is a line of the New York City Subway, serving the Brooklyn, communities of Borough Park, New Utrecht, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Coney Island. The D train operates on the line at all times, providing service to Manhattan and the Bronx via the IND Sixth Avenue Line...
in late evenings, late nights and all day Sunday, was discontinued and replaced by additional BB (New York City Subway service)The B Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs over the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
service.
- The service now bypassed 14th Street14th Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)14th Street is a local station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and 14th Street in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times, and the M train on weekdays except late nights.This underground station opened on December 15,...
and 23rd Street23rd Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line)23rd Street is a local station on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, it is served by the F train at all times, and the M train on weekdays. This station and 14th Street are the only two local stations on...
via the express tracks of the IND Sixth Avenue LineIND Sixth Avenue LineThe Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
at all times. It had previously done this only during rush hours. This service is taken over by the and KK.
- The (rush hour service) was extended from Chambers Street to Broad StreetBroad Street (BMT Nassau Street Line)Broad Street is a station on the BMT Nassau Street Line of the New York City Subway located at the intersection of Broad and Wall Streets in the Financial District of Manhattan....
due to the additional capacity available from the rerouting of the JJ (as the KK).
- A free transfer was added between 42nd Street – Bryant Park on the IND Sixth Avenue LineIND Sixth Avenue LineThe Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
and Fifth Avenue – Bryant Park on the IRT Flushing LineIRT Flushing LineThe Flushing Line is a rapid transit route of the New York City Subway system, operated as part of the IRT Division and designated the 7 route...
from 05:00 to 20:00 weekdays. A passageway connecting the stations directly was built later on.
The following adjustments to the new service were put into effect on August 18, 1968:
- The service was truncated to Brighton BeachBrighton Beach (BMT Brighton Line)Brighton Beach is an express/terminal station on the BMT Brighton Line of the New York City Subway. It is located over Brighton Beach Avenue at Brighton Sixth Street in the community of Brighton Beach on Coney Island in Brooklyn.- Description:...
when it ran express on the BMT Brighton LineBMT Brighton LineThe BMT Brighton Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in Brooklyn, New York City, United States. Local service is provided at all times by the Q train. The Q is joined by the B express train on weekdays...
(morning rush hours through early evenings). The QB (rush-hour peak direction only) and QJ (morning rush hours through early evenings) were extended from Brighton Beach to Coney Island – Stillwell Avenue.
- The ran express on the IND Culver LineIND Culver LineThe IND Culver Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway, extending from Downtown Brooklyn south to Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York City, United States...
during rush hours north of Church AvenueChurch Avenue (IND Culver Line)Church Avenue is an express station on the IND Culver Line of the New York City Subway. Located at Church and McDonald Avenues in Kensington, Brooklyn, it is served by the F and G trains at all times, the latter of which terminates here....
. Several peak-direction rush hour trains were truncated to Kings Highway; the rest provide express service north of Kings Highway. The GG train was extended to Church Avenue during rush hours to replace local service (this service pattern was discontinued on January 18, 1976).
Later changes
These new services began to unravel in response to commuter complaints about the various routings. Many of the new extensions like the NX and RJ quickly disappeared (April 12, 1968 and June 28, 1968, respectivelyhttp://www.nycsubway.org/ind/indhist.html). The KK (since renamed the K) was discontinued in 1976, ending service via the Williamsburg Bridge connection. Manhattan BridgeManhattan Bridge
The Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges...
reconstruction began in 1986, at times making the Chrystie Street Connection unavailable for through trains, and making the Grand Street station a terminal for shuttle service along Houston Street. The Manhattan Bridge re-opened fully in 2004.
Current Changes
The Chrystie Street Connection returned to full revenue service on June 28, 2010. The Manhattan Bridge connection continues to be used by the BB (New York City Subway service)
The B Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it runs over the IND Sixth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
and D
D (New York City Subway service)
The D Sixth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. It is colored orange on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map, since it uses the IND Sixth Avenue Line through Manhattan....
services, both of which operate into the Bronx along the IND Concourse Line
IND Concourse Line
The Concourse Line is an IND subway branch line of the New York City Subway system. It runs from Norwood – 205th Street in Norwood, Bronx to 145th Street in Harlem, Manhattan. It is the only "B" Division and only fully underground line in the Bronx....
, one local and the other express north of 59th Street in Manhattan, and both of which head south towards Coney Island
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsula and beach on the Atlantic Ocean in southern Brooklyn, New York, United States. The site was formerly an outer barrier island, but became partially connected to the mainland by landfill....
. The Williamsburg Bridge connection is now used by the service, which had formerly come into Manhattan on the BMT Nassau Street Line
BMT Nassau Street Line
The BMT Nassau Street Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway system in Manhattan. It is served by the and trains which are colored brown on maps and signage...
. The was re-routed via Chrystie Street onto the IND Sixth Avenue Line
IND Sixth Avenue Line
The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn...
, continuing from there along the route formerly taken by the service, which was eliminated in a round of service cuts to close a budget gap. As of 2010, the service makes all former stops (except for Second Avenue), starting from Broadway – Lafayette Street, and terminating at Forest Hills – 71st Avenue.
Routing and station listing
| Station | Tracks | Services | Opened | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg Bridge Connection: begins as a split from the IND Sixth Avenue Line IND Sixth Avenue Line The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn... local tracks south of Broadway – Lafayette Street |
|||||
| (no stations) | local | July 1, 1968 | unused in revenue service 1976-2010 | ||
| connects with the BMT Nassau Street Line BMT Nassau Street Line The BMT Nassau Street Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway system in Manhattan. It is served by the and trains which are colored brown on maps and signage... railroad north (compass west) of Essex Street, and then over the Williamsburg Bridge Williamsburg Bridge The Williamsburg Bridge is a suspension bridge in New York City across the East River connecting the Lower East Side of Manhattan at Delancey Street with the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn at Broadway near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway... |
|||||
| Manhattan Bridge Connection: begins as a ramp from the IND Sixth Avenue Line IND Sixth Avenue Line The Sixth Avenue Line is a rapid transit line of the B Division of the New York City Subway in the United States. It runs mainly under Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, and continues south through the Rutgers Street Tunnel to Brooklyn... express tracks south of Broadway – Lafayette Street |
|||||
| Grand Street Grand Street (IND Sixth Avenue Line) Grand Street is a station in Manhattan on the IND Sixth Avenue Line of the New York City Subway. It was one of two stations added in 1967–68 as part of the Chrystie Street Connection . It is served by the D at all times and the B on weekdays.The station has two tracks and two narrow side platforms... |
express | November 26, 1967 | |||
| continues over the Manhattan Bridge Manhattan Bridge The Manhattan Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the East River in New York City, connecting Lower Manhattan with Brooklyn . It was the last of the three suspension bridges built across the lower East River, following the Brooklyn and the Williamsburg bridges... , north tracks |
|||||
Sources
- NYCsubway.org - Historical Maps
- Line by Line History
- Subway Route Changes Put in Effect, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
November 26, 1967 page 59 - BMT-IND Changes Bewilder Many, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
November 27, 1967 page 1 - Skip-Stop Subway Begins Run Today, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
July 1, 1968 page 25 - Rapid Transit Service Changes, TA brochure, 1968
- Subways to Trim Service in Rush Hours on Jan. 18, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
December 18, 1975 page 1 - Transit Agency Drops 215 Runs, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
August 31, 1976 page 42