Mass Transportation Sites

In February 1939, bids were collected by the city subway department to begin construction for the first section of the Milwaukee-Dearborn street subway system that would create a 3,322 foot section of the tunnel between Chicago and Haddon avenues ("Dearborn St. Subway"). This system was part of a larger four part plan to build a large scale 50 mile subway system ("Four Stages"). The expansion would extend rapid service by adding additional subways and connecting existing elevated tracks. The project was largely funded by the New Deal's Public Works Administration after plans were completed and agreements were made in 1938....

The overpass carrying Morningstar Road over what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) was constructed in 1937, in conjunction with the lowering of the railroad right-of-way, as one link in a massive grade crossing removal project. This overpass was built in conjunction with a rebuilt (and since eliminated) Elm Park railway station. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

This former WPA bus terminal is no longer extant, however it was a landmark of the community for a long time. A 1939 WPA Federal Writers' Project described the then new terminal as follows: "The Municipal Bus Terminal, River St. opp. Demarest Pl., is a modern one-and-one-half-story structure of white-faced brick and glass. Designed by Spencer Newman and opened in 1937, it was financed jointly by the city and the Works Progress Administration. The severity of the functional style is relieved by effective planting on the approaches. The terminal serves most buses operating in the Hackensack section."   (https://www.getnj.com) A recent book looks...

The Fulton Street branch of New York City's Independent Subway (IND) was constructed during the 1930s with the aid of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds. On April 9, 1936, nine stations opened in Brooklyn, including the Court Street subway station. The Court St. subway station closed in 1946; it reopened in 1976 as the New York Transit Museum.

In 1934, it was reported that the American Locomotive Company “is building 15 freight engines for the ‘Nickel Plate’ Railroad, in its plant at Schenectady, N.Y… All of these engines are being built with a PWA loan to the Nickel Plate” (Times Union). “Nickel Plate,” or “Nickel Plate Road,” were commonly used names for the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. The railroad company “served parts of the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri” (Wikipedia). The 15 PWA-financed Nickel Plate Road engines were steam-driven Berkshire locomotives, numbered 700-714. No. 700 “made its first revenue trip between Bellevue, OH, and...

In the mid-1930s, the Public Works Administration (PWA) funded a $6,000,000 grade crossing elimination program for what was then Staten Island Rapid Transit Railway (SIRT). The final project was the mile-long Port Richmond-Tower Hill viaduct, which, at the time, was "the largest grade crossing elimination unit in the United States" (New York Times). The project sought to put an end to accident prone crossings. Arthur S. Tuttle, the State Director of the PWA, opened the newly elevated stations at Port Richmond and Tower Hill in a ribbon cutting ceremony. On February 26, 1937, The New York Times announced the opening of the viaduct...

In 1933, the Public Works Administration (PWA) authorized a loan to the Northern Pacific Railway for $1,250,000 to purchase new locomotives. The Interstate Commerce Commission then issued a certificate of approval for the loan, although for a slightly lesser amount - $1,220,000. The loan allowed the Pacific Railway to purchase ten A-2 class locomotives from the Baldwin Locomotive Works. They were delivered in 1934, numbers 2650 to 2659.  These engines would carry passenger trains between Jamestown, North Dakota and Missoula, Montana – a 906 mile-long route, one of the longest in the U.S. at the time. On October 13, 1934, The Missoulian...

The Pennsylvania Railroad 4800 locomotive, nicknamed “Old Rivets,” was built in 1934-1935 and started service in early 1935.  It was an electric “GG-1” class locomotive and cost about $250,000 to build (about $5.2 million in 2021 dollars). It was also the first of its kind and the only one that had a riveted body, hence the nickname “Old Rivets”.  After that, the builders switched from riveting to welding this type of locomotive. Old Rivets was financed by a loan from the Public Works Administration (PWA). The PWA financed at least 56 more of these GG-1 class trains. (Ultimately, 139 GG-1’s were produced...

In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia (P&WV) Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives, and an additional $47,000 for the “Purchase and installation of steel rail, track fastenings, etc.” (Interstate Commerce Commission). The P&WV operated from about 1916-1964 and was headquartered in the Wabash Railroad Station and Building, Pittsburgh, PA, 1916-1946. Its trains operated on routes from Connellsville, Pennsylvania, to Pittsburgh, to Wheeling, West Virginia. The P&WV was one of over 30 railroads that received New Deal funding assistance, which helped usher in an exciting era of new and bigger...

In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives. The engines were Class J-1, numbered 1100-1102, and had somewhat unusual 2-6-6-4 wheel configurations. Howard Worley, Jr. and William Poellot, Jr. describe the details and impact of the new locomotives: “In October the first of the new articulated type freight locomotives, #1100, arrived at Rook after traveling under its own power over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from the Eddystone plant of the Baldwin Locomotive Works near Philadelphia… it was the largest size engine...

In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives. The engines were Class J-1, numbered 1100-1102, and had somewhat unusual 2-6-6-4 wheel configurations. Howard Worley, Jr. and William Poellot, Jr. describe the details and impact of the new locomotives: “In October the first of the new articulated type freight locomotives, #1100, arrived at Rook after traveling under its own power over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from the Eddystone plant of the Baldwin Locomotive Works near Philadelphia… it was the largest size engine on...

In 1934, the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided $331,000 in loans to the Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway, for the purchase of three new locomotives. The engines were Class J-1, numbered 1100-1102, and had somewhat unusual 2-6-6-4 wheel configurations. Howard Worley, Jr. and William Poellot, Jr. describe the details and impact of the new locomotives: “In October the first of the new articulated type freight locomotives, #1100, arrived at Rook after traveling under its own power over the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from the Eddystone plant of the Baldwin Locomotive Works near Philadelphia… it was the largest size engine on...

The elevated Port Richmond railway station was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project along what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway). The structure opened Feb. 1937. Long since abandoned, the station—which is located between Park and Port Richmond Avenues—still stands. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The bridge carrying the the newly raised Staten Island Railway over Arden Avenue was built in the late 1930s, as one link in a large grade crossing removal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The bridge bears a 1938 date stamp.

The bridge carrying the the newly raised Staten Island Railway over Armstrong Avenue was built in 1939, as one link in a large grade crossing removal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The bridge bears a 1939 date stamp.

The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Canal St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Faber St. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Maple Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Nicholas Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Park Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated Port Richmond station, and is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Port Richmond Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated Port Richmond station, and is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Prospect St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The bridge carrying the the newly raised Staten Island Railway over Richmond Avenue was built in 1939, as one link in a large grade crossing removal project sponsored by the Public Works Administration (PWA). The bridge bears a 1939 date stamp.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Park Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated Port Richmond station, and is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Sharpe Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated Tower Hill station, and is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Thompson St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) over Treadwell Ave. was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure leads into the former elevated Tower Hill station, and is imprinted with the date 1935. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Water St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with several instances of the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The overpass carrying the Staten Island Railway over Wave St., between Bay St. and Front St., was constructed during the mid-1930s as one link in a massive grade separation project. The structure is imprinted with the date 1936. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

In 1934, the Interstate Commerce Commission approved a $1 million loan to the Gulf, Mobile & Northern Railroad Company (GM&N), from the New Deal’s Public Works Administration (PWA).  Out of this money came two streamliners: Rebel trains 352 and 353.  The Rebels ran a route from Jackson, Tennessee to New Orleans, from 1935 to 1954.  They appear to have been scrapped in 1962. (Note: In 1940, GM&N was merged into the new Gulf, Mobile & Ohio (GM&O) Railroad.) The red and silver Rebels were designed by Otto Kuhler and constructed by American Car & Foundry.  The locomotives (“powercars”) had 660 horsepower Diesel...

A trestle carrying what was then what was then the South Beach Branch of the Staten Island Railway across Robin Road Avenue was built in 1936 as part of a massive grade separation project. The line has long since been abandoned (as the line was discontinued in 1953) and the trestle at Robin Road is one of its few remaining traces. The bridge bears a 1936 date stamp. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The Rosebank railway station was rebuilt as a concrete structure during the mid-1930s as part of a massive grade separation project along what was then the South Beach Branch of the Staten Island Railway. The station had "two tracks and two side platforms, and was located along Tilson Place between Virginia Avenue and St. Mary's Avenue." Long since abandoned (as the line was discontinued in 1953), the structure has since been demolished. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

In 1934, the Interstate Commerce Commission approved a loan of $3.5 million from the Public Works Administration (PWA) to the Seaboard Air Line, a railroad company headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia.  Among the purchases made with this PWA funding were five very large freight locomotives (requiring hefty 2-6-6-4 wheel configurations), to be built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Eddystone, Pennsylvania. The engines, numbered 2500 through 2504 were completed in 1935, with the first engine put on display on Sunday, April 28 at Union Station in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Raleigh’s newspaper, The News and Observer, enthusiastically described the new arrivals: “Both awesome...

The overpass carrying Simonson Avenue over what was then a freight and passenger railway (the North Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway) was constructed during the mid-1930s, in conjunction with the lowering of the railroad right-of-way, as one link in a massive grade crossing removal project. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

This is one of three subway stations along the Broad Street subway line, south of City Hall, whose construction was enabled by federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds. As a result of this project the subway was extended from Lombard South Station to Snyder Ave. Service here was inaugurated on Sept. 18, 1938.

Follows is a description of part of a massive Public Works Administration (PWA) grade crossing elimination project, undertaken on the South Beach Branch (a.k.a. "East Shore" branch) of the Staten Island Railway. Most of the structures created are no longer extant. "From 1934-1937 SIRT embarked on an ambitious grade crossing elimination project, part of which involved the East Shore subdivision in 1934/5 from St. George to Wentworth Avenue. The tracks were raised above grade between Stapleton and Clifton. Grade crossings were taken out along the South Beach line by sinking the streets, raising the rails or a combination of both. Some residential...

Long planned, federal Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) funds enabled the development of the South Broad Street subway from its then-southern terminus at Lombard South Station to Snyder Ave., during the mid-to-late 1930s. Service along this stretch of subway was inaugurated at the three new subway stations: Ellsworth–Federal, Tasker–Morris, and Snyder, on Sept. 18, 1938. The Broad Street line was extended further south, decades later, to Pattison Ave.

The Stapleton railway station was rebuilt as a concrete structure during the mid-1930s as part of a massive grade separation project along the Staten Island Railway. The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided a $1.46 million grant for the $6 million grade crossing elimination project, which included work elsewhere in Staten Island and even in Manhattan. PWA Docket No. NY 4926.

The State Street subway line was one of two initial subway lines to open in the city of Chicago, IL. Running from north to south, the project began in conjunction with the construction of the Milwaukee-Dearborn subway line and was made possible by both the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The subway line has undergone major expansions and alterations since the 1930’s, but it still exists today as a portion of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line subway system. State Street property owners were the first to call for the State Street Subway, but despite...

The federal Public Works Administration (PWA) financed part of the construction of ferry boats for the Staten island Ferry, to the tune of $1,397,500. The first boat, "Gold Star Mother," was dedicated by Mayor La Guardia on May 7, 1937. The project was unusual, as The New York Times reported: the "United States Attorney General had construed a ferryboat as a building in order to make the PWA loan possible." PWA Docket No. NY 1085-R.