Location Data

Built:	N/A	Closed:	1956
Opened:	1927	Demolished / Renovated:	N/A
Location Age:	83 years	Abandonment:	54 years
Current Status:	Abandoned
Location Genre:	Subway
Located In:	Rochester, NY

In December 1927, the new trolley subway system for the city of Rochester opened to the public in an attempt to relieve automobile traffic, soon after the Erie canal ceased operations in 1919. It served as an interchange for the handful of rail lines entering the city, as well as for city transportation.

Throughout its years of operation, the Rochester subway was never used to its full potential; as soon as the 1930s the subway had limited runs. After vagrants started inhabiting the tunnels and due to the lack of funding, the subway became closed to passengers in 1956, and was only used for some freight until 1997. Many overpasses and other structures along the line have been demolished. The remaining section of the subway is a two mile tunnel underneath Broad Street, where the remains of two stations still exist; West Main Street and City Hall. Some of the rails have been salvaged by preservationist groups.

Recent plans are to spend $12 million to fill the space with dirt because the columns and road deck are in need of repair. Read the whole story here. Also check out End of the Line, a DVD all about the Rochester Subway System.