America's First Subway
Figure 1: Electric Trolley Traffic.
One of the great success stories of city planning ensued as the new commission built the first subway in the United States. Work began on March 28, 1895 at the Public Garden. The $5 million, three year project proceeded quickly and the first section, Park street to Boylston Street, opened on September 1, 1897. The entire original project stretched two and a half miles from North Station to Tremont Street. The subway was an immediate success and freed downtown streets of much traffic. Where 200 trolleys cars an hour had once trailed along, the new subway carried 282 cars an hour. The rush hour traffic and capacity doubled along the route and over 50 million riders took the subway in its first 11 months of operation.[1] This success spurred planning for the elevated line, and construction started early in the 20th century.
Reference:
1. Kennedy, Lawrence W. Planning the City upon a Hill: Boston since 1630. University of Massachusetts Press, 1994.
Figure 1: Electric Trolley Traffic. c. 1890-1899. Boston Public Library, Print Department. Web. 6 Mar 2013.
Reference:
1. Kennedy, Lawrence W. Planning the City upon a Hill: Boston since 1630. University of Massachusetts Press, 1994.
Figure 1: Electric Trolley Traffic. c. 1890-1899. Boston Public Library, Print Department. Web. 6 Mar 2013.