The Bergen Ave Cut-Off
The Bergen Ave Cut-Off was constructed during the 1914-16 Express track enhacement. Although a Bergen Ave Connection was planned for in 1888 constuction of the Suburban Railway, it was not until 1914 that the connection was actually built. The original Suburban Rwy two track Harlem River Bridge and elevated structure over the PROW in the Bronx was double decked to produce a four track structure to 144th St where the two lower tracks remained as the 3rd Ave local tracks. The two upper level tracks became the 2nd Ave El two track Bergen Ave Connector to the Westchester Ave structure and 3rd Ave El express track which ramped down to the expanded three track 3rd Ave El. The Bergen Cut-off, as it was know, was the route of the 2nd Ave El The Freeman St Express until 1940, when the 3rd Ave El continued the service until 1948. The Bergen Cut-off structure was removed with remaining 150th St connector in 1951.
East on 149th St to Bergen St showing the Bergen St El connector structure.
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North at Bergen & 149th St. The el structure curves between the buildings over the IRT Subway ROW to join with the elevated on Westchester Ave.
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The upper level junction at 144th St showing a s/b train of IRT Composite cars comming off the Bergen Ave Cut-Off on to the PROW stsucture. The single 3rd Ave El express track ramps down to the left to the Third Ave structure.
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North from the 149th St El station showing the single track connection on the original 150th St connector to the IRT Subway Westchester Ave el structure.
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1924 overhead view of Bronx Hub area at 149th St showing (from the bottom left) the 3rd Ave El and the Bergen Cutoff diverging on the PROW at 144th St. The 3rd Ave El proceeds North onto Third Ave to the 149th St station. The Bergen Cutoff Structure (built in 1916) goes east to Willis Ave, then curves on to Bergen Ave and aligns with the IRT Subway tunnel portal ROW to the Westchester Ave El struc...ture. The 3rd Ave El 150th St connector (built in 1904) junction is North of the 149th St Station and goes East on Westchester Ave to the junction with the Westchester Ave structure. The 150th St connector and the Bergen Cutoff had a flying junction on the double deck two track el structure where it joined the Westchester Ave structure over Brook Ave before descending to the junction with the three track the Westchester Ave structure at St Ann's Ave. The NY Central RR Port Morris division yard is at the upper right. (next)
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1904 construction view of St Anns Jct where the elevated line joins the IRT Subway line on Westchester Ave.
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