New York, beneath the surface
NYC subway in 1918: The Dual Contracts transform the network
The city signed the Dual Contracts with the IRT and BRT in 1913. New lines and extensions spread rapid transit farther into the boroughs; the Manhattan IRT was reorganized into its east-side and west-side trunks in 1918.
Explore the 1918 interactive map →
What this map represents
This year-end reconstruction contains 252 modeled stops across 4 boroughs and about 105 mapped miles. These are counts from this project’s model, not official historical station or track-mile totals. Modern route colors identify corridors, not the services running in 1918.
Selected events, 1909–1918
1913: The Dual Contracts
The city and two private operators agreed to build and upgrade lines across the boroughs.
Source: Wikipedia: Dual Contracts
1918: An H-shaped IRT
Separate east-side and west-side trunks replaced the original through route across 42nd Street. The crosstown section became a shuttle.
Source: Wikipedia: Dual Contracts
Sources and interpretation
Historical coverage and geometry are incomplete. Read the reconstruction method and limitations before interpreting station counts or route alignments.