116th Street–Columbia University: Access to the Academic Heart of Morningside Heights

The 116th Street–Columbia University station is a subway station located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It serves as a vital access point for Columbia University and surrounding institutions on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line. Its location directly adjacent to Columbia’s main campus makes it an essential stop for students, faculty, and visitors to the academic area.

Connections and Services

The 116th Street–Columbia University station is a single station serving one line:

116th Street–Columbia University (Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line)

• This station is a local stop on the New York City Subway’s Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line.
• It is served by trains of the following service:
  • 1 (red)
• Main entrance address: Corners of Broadway & West 116th Street, New York, NY 10027

Design and Platforms

• This station has two side platforms and two tracks.
• It serves only local trains of the 1 service.
  • There are no express tracks at this station.
  • The platforms are at street level, with access via stairs.
• Station entrances are located at the intersections of 116th Street and Broadway.

This station does not offer direct internal transfers to other subway lines.

Importance and Location

• The station is located at the intersection of Broadway and 116th Street, in the heart of Morningside Heights, Manhattan.
• Its strategic location makes it a key access point to important destinations such as:

  • Columbia University

    • Direct access to the main campus, including Low Memorial Library, Butler Library, and numerous schools/faculties.
    • Facilitates access to university events, conferences, and cultural activities.
    • Center of student and academic life on the west side of Manhattan.

  • Other Institutions and the Neighborhood

    • Barnard College: Located directly west of Broadway.
    • Teachers College, Columbia University.
    • Union Theological Seminary.
    • The residential neighborhood of Morningside Heights.

  • Additional Nearby Attractions

    • Riverside Park: A scenic park along the Hudson River.
    • Cathedral of St. John the Divine: An impressive Gothic cathedral located a few blocks away.
    • Grant’s Tomb (General Grant National Memorial).

History and Evolution

• The 116th Street–Columbia University station was opened on October 27, 1904, as part of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company’s (IRT) first subway line.
• The station has maintained its essential function of serving the university community and the neighborhood for over a century.
• It has undergone periodic renovations to maintain its infrastructure and improve the passenger experience, while preserving historical elements.

Interesting Facts

• The station experiences a high volume of passengers, especially during the academic year.
• Its location makes it a nerve center for the academic community of Morningside Heights.
• It is a fundamental station on the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, providing essential local service to this part of Manhattan.