IND Concourse Line
The IND Concourse Line is a rapid transit line of the New York City Subway's B Division that extends from 145th Street in Manhattan to 205th Street in the Bronx, primarily running beneath the Grand Concourse boulevard.[1][2] It opened on July 1, 1933, as an extension of the IND Eighth Avenue Line, providing the second major trunk of the city-built Independent Subway System (IND) during the Great Depression era.[3] The line features three tracks—two for local service and one center express track—for much of its 6.5-mile (10.5 km) length, with express stations that enable express service during peak hours.[1][4] It serves key Bronx neighborhoods including Yankee Stadium, Fordham University, and Norwood, while connecting to Manhattan's Washington Heights. The B train provides local service on weekdays, and the D train offers express service during rush hours, both linking to Brooklyn's Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue via the Sixth Avenue and Eighth Avenue lines.[5][2] Historically, the Concourse Line was designed to compete with the elevated IRT Jerome Avenue Line, fostering development along the Grand Concourse, one of New York City's premier boulevards.[6] Today, despite ongoing reconstruction efforts as of 2025, it remains a vital artery for Bronx commuters, with stations like 161st Street–Yankee Stadium facilitating transfers to the IRT lines.[7][8]Route and Infrastructure
Route Description
The IND Concourse Line spans 6.5 miles from its northern terminus at 205th Street in the Bronx to its southern terminus at 145th Street in Manhattan.[9] The route begins at the underground Norwood–205th Street station and initially runs east-west before turning south, paralleling the Grand Concourse through neighborhoods including Bedford Park Boulevard and near Yankee Stadium, before crossing the Harlem River into Manhattan via an underwater tunnel.[4] To accommodate the hilly terrain of the Bronx, the line employs underground tunneling, particularly at the northern end near Valentine's Hill, with cut-and-cover construction in portions of the 205th Street station and full tunneling in others to manage elevation changes.[4] The path includes specific adaptations for grades and curves, such as an east-west curve at the 205th Street station and additional curvature near University Heights to navigate local topography.[4] At its southern end, the line junctions with the IND Eighth Avenue Line at the lower level of the 145th Street station, where tracks merge south of the station to allow through service.[10] The B and D trains currently utilize this route for service between the Bronx and points south.[4]Track Configuration and Stations
The IND Concourse Line employs a three-track layout for the majority of its 6.5-mile route, comprising two outer local tracks served by B trains and a center express track primarily used by D trains. This configuration allows for express service while maintaining local stops, with the line transitioning to the lower level of the IND Eighth Avenue Line at 145th Street in Manhattan.[11] The line includes 12 stations, with platforms typically measuring 510 feet to accommodate eight-car trains of 60-foot B Division cars. Most stations feature two island platforms serving the three tracks, except at local-only stops with side platforms and the terminal at Norwood–205th Street, which has three tracks and a single island platform. Unique architectural elements include the vaulted ceiling at 167th Street, featuring Guastavino tile work that enhances the station's aesthetic and acoustic qualities. Crossovers and switches are located at key points, such as the diamond crossovers south of 155th Street, facilitating train routing between local and express tracks.| Station | Borough | Platform Type | Key Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwood–205th Street | Bronx | Island (1 platform) | Terminal station with three tracks; leads to Concourse Yard; not ADA-accessible. |
| Bedford Park Boulevard | Bronx | Island (2 platforms) | ADA-accessible with elevators; terminal for B trains outside peak hours. |
| Kingsbridge Road | Bronx | Island (2 platforms) | ADA-accessible; elevators added in December 2014.[12][13] |
| Fordham Road | Bronx | Island (2 platforms) | Transfer to 4, 5, Metro-North; not ADA-accessible (upgrades planned). |
| 182nd–183rd Streets | Bronx | Side (2 platforms) | Local stop only; not ADA-accessible. |
| Tremont Avenue | Bronx | Island (2 platforms) | ADA-accessible with elevators. |
| 174th–175th Streets | Bronx | Side (2 platforms) | Local stop only; not ADA-accessible. |
| 170th Street | Bronx | Side (2 platforms) | Local stop only; ADA-accessible. |
| 167th Street | Bronx | Side (2 platforms) | Local stop only; vaulted Guastavino ceiling; not ADA-accessible (upgrades planned). |
| 161st Street–Yankee Stadium | Bronx | Island (2 platforms) | Transfer to 4; ADA-accessible. |
| 155th Street | Manhattan | Island (2 platforms) | ADA-accessible; crossovers south of station. |
| 145th Street (lower level) | Manhattan | Island (2 platforms) | Transfer to 1; ADA-accessible; line merges with Eighth Avenue Line. |