The Westchester Square–East Tremont Avenue station (formerly Westchester Square station) is a local station on the IRT Pelham Line of the New York City Subway. Located at the intersection of East Tremont and Westchester Avenues in the Westchester Square neighborhood of the Bronx, it is served by the 6 train at all times except weekdays in the peak direction, when the <6> train takes over.
History
This station was built as part of the Pelham Line, which was part of the Dual Contracts, signed on March 19, 1913, and also known as the Dual Subway System.[4] The Pelham Line was proposed to be a branch of the Lexington Avenue Line running northeast via 138th Street, Southern Boulevard and Westchester Avenue to Pelham Bay Park.[5] This station opened on October 24, 1920 as the line's new terminal with the line's extension from East 177th Street.[6][7][8]: 2389 Service was initially served by a mix of through and shuttle trains during the 1920s.[9]: 73–74
Under the 2015–2019 MTA Capital Program, the station, along with thirty other New York City Subway stations, will undergo a complete overhaul and would be entirely closed for up to 6 months. Updates would include cellular service, Wi-Fi, charging stations, improved signage, and improved station lighting.[11][12] However, these renovations were deferred until the 2020–2024 Capital Program due to a lack of funding.[13]
As part of a revision to the Capital Program in April 2018, elevators will be installed at this station and it will become ADA-accessible.[14] As of February 2021[update], funding had been committed to accessibility renovations at the Westchester Square station.[15] In December 2021, the MTA awarded a contract for the installation of elevators at eight stations, including the Westchester Square station.[16][17] As of July 2022[update], the project is scheduled to be completed in May 2024.[18] From November 10, 2023 through December 2023, Pelham Bay Park-bound trains bypassed this station due to station improvements.[19]
Fare control, station agent, MetroCard and OMNY machines
Ground
Street level
Exit/entrance
This elevated station has three tracks and two side platforms. The center track is not used in regular service.[20] The 6 local train serves the station at all times except rush hours in the peak direction, when the <6> express train serves the station instead.[21] The next stop to the south is Zerega Avenue, while the next stop to the north is Middletown Road.[22]
The street staircase features a stained glass piece by Romare Bearden. There are glass block tile and "uptown" and "downtown" directional mosaics in the mezzanine. From the northbound platform, there is a good view of the Bronx–Whitestone and Throgs Neck Bridges. Westchester Yard is located railroad north of the station, to the west of the Pelham Line itself. There are no windscreens, and the canopy is new.[as of?] The mezzanine artwork features an interesting geometric sculpture on the northbound side.
Exit
The station's only exit is a mezzanine beneath the tracks in Westchester Square. Outside fare control, a stair leads to the northeast corner of Westchester Avenue and Lane Avenue.[23]
^"Subway and rail service changes: November 10–13". Metropolitan Transportation Authority. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023. Beginning 9:45 p.m. Friday, Pelham Bay Park-bound 6 trains will bypass Westchester Sq-E Tremont Av 24/7 through early December while we make station improvements.
Note: Service variations, station closures, and reroutes are not reflected here. Stations with asterisks have no regular peak, reverse peak, or midday service on that route. See linked articles for more information.
Stations and line segments in italics are closed, demolished, or planned (temporary closures are marked with asterisks). Track connections to other lines' terminals are displayed in brackets. Struck through passenger track connections are closed or unused in regular service.
