IRT New Lots Line

IRT New Lots Line
3 trains serve the entire IRT New Lots Line at all times except late nights. 4 trains serves the entire line during late night hours, and additional 2, 4, and 5 service is provided during rush hours.
Overview
Type	Rapid transit
System	New York City Subway
Status	Operating
Locale	Brooklyn
Termini	Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road New Lots Avenue
Stations	7
Daily ridership	73,760
Operation
Opened	1920-1922
Owner	City of New York
Operator(s)	New York City Transit Authority
Character	Elevated
Technical
Line length	4.91 miles (7.90 km)
Number of tracks	2-3
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	600V DC third rail

The IRT New Lots Line or Livonia Avenue Line is a rapid transit line in the IRT A Division of the New York City Subway. Located in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the line runs from Utica Avenue in Crown Heights and continues to New Lots Avenue in East New York.

This line was built as a part of the Dual Contracts. It was built as an elevated line because the ground in this area is right above the water table, and as a result the construction of a subway would have been prohibitively expensive.

Toward the end of 1919, work on the Livonia Avenue Line was suspended because of the default of a contractor who had the contract for the erection of steel. During 1919, the city purchased an area of land bounded by Hegeman and Lawrence Avenues, and Elton and Linwood Streets. Contracts for the yard were awarded in 1920.

The first portion of the line between Utica Avenue and Junius Street opened on November 22, 1920, with shuttle trains operating over this route. The line opened one more stop farther to the east to Pennsylvania Avenue on December 24, 1920. At that date, only the southbound platform was used. In 1921, the stations at Van Siclen Avenue and New Lots Avenue were practically completed, but they were not opened yet because trains could not run to the terminal until track work, the signal tower, and the compressor room were in service. Work began on June 19, 1922 and shuttles started operating between Pennsylvania Avenue and New Lots Avenue on October 16, 1922. A two-car train operated on a single track on the northbound track.

Work on the contract for installation of tracks in Livonia Yard began on May 18, 1922 and was completed on July 18, 1922. The yard was built with inspection facilities and the ability to store 250 cars. Work was completed on December 31, 1922, and the yard was opened for service on July 28, 1923. On October 31, 1924, through service to New Lots Avenue was begun.