IRT Broadway Line Viaduct
Also known as: Manhattan Valley Viaduct
Why it's listed
Running along Broadway from West 122nd to West 135th Street, this 2,147-foot viaduct carries IRT subway tracks over a deep depression in upper Manhattan known as Manhattan Valley. Construction of the subway began in 1900 under chief engineer William Barclay Parsons, and the system was completed in 1904. The viaduct combines three kinds of structure: granite and brick masonry approaches at each end, steel towers spanned by plate girders, and a central three-ribbed, double-hinged parabolic braced arch spanning 168½ feet over 125th Street, formerly Manhattan Street. The arch avoided supports that would have forced a costly realignment of the angled intersection of Broadway and Manhattan Street. A utilitarian steel and wood station sits above the arch. The structure remains in use and is regarded as a significant example of early twentieth-century transit engineering in New York City, and as one of few visible above-ground reminders of the first subway.
Significance in brief: The viaduct is argued to be a significant engineering structure and a surviving part of New York's first subway system. Its double-hinged parabolic braced arch solved the problem of crossing the deep Manhattan Valley without costly realignment of the Broadway and Manhattan Street intersection. It is one of the few visible above-ground elements reflecting the engineering importance of the first subway.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 83001749, listed September 15, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | W. 122nd St. to W. 135th St., Broadway, New York |
|---|---|
| County | Manhattan |
| Listed | September 15, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83001749 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1900-04 |
| Architect / builder | William B. Parsons, Chief Engineer |
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in operation as part of the subway system; condition listed as excellent, with alterations to the station such as new escalators, railings and lamp posts. |
| Acreage | 8 |
| Within district | West Harlem Historic District |
| Coordinates | 40.82002, -73.95515 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 83001749.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2188221
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.