Beneath our feet lies a hidden gem New York City’s only underground street. This is Tunnel Street. It is more than just a passageway. It’s a piece of history, art and a testament to human ingenuity.
Tunnel Street connects the 191st Street subway station to Broadway. The 191st Street station is also the deepest in the entire New York City subway system. It lies 173 feet below ground. That equals about 18 stories.
Back in the early 1900s, the area around 191st Street was still developing. The Interborough Rapid Transit Company built the subway line in 1904. But a station at 191st Street didn’t open until 1911.
Even then, accessing the station was a challenge. St. Nicholas Avenue sits atop a hill one of the highest points in Manhattan. So, in 1913, Tunnel Street was built. It was constructed to give riders easier access to the station. Tunnel Street spurred residential development in Washington Heights.
Tunnel Street is mapped as a street. Therefore, the Department of Transportation oversees it instead of the MTA. Over the years, Tunnel Street became dark and dingy. Locals were troubled by the passageway.
In 2014, the DOT announced plans to update the lighting and signage in Tunnel Street. The following year, the city commissioned five artists to paint large scale murals. Each artist was given a 200-foot section of wall to transform.
Andrea von Bujdoss also known as Queen Andrea was among them. Fernando Carlo Jr. known as Cope 2 also contributed. Nick Kuszyk, Nelson Rivas known as Cekis and Jessie Unterhalter and Katey Truhn completed the group.
Sadly, much of their work has since been covered with graffiti. But, for a time, Tunnel Street became a vibrant underground art gallery.
Tunnel Street even made an appearance in the 2021 film In the Heights. It was featured in a fantasy sequence. The sequence showed Abuela Claudia’s journey from Cuba.
In early 2023, the city whitewashed the tunnel. This sparked outrage from the community. Residents felt that history had been erased. However, officials promised to work with artists to create new murals. Even before the new project was launched, new graffiti tags appeared on the fresh paint.
At its connection to the subway station elevator, Tunnel Street is 225 feet below the surface. The tunnel saves pedestrians from a steep climb. Before it opened, people had to take long routes to the Dyckman Street or 181st Street stations.
When Tunnel Street first opened, it was lined with glazed tile. It was lit and guarded at all times. Policemen were stationed at either end. The tunnel’s grade slopes slightly. This allows water to drain into a sewer.
So, as you walk through Tunnel Street, remember its history. It represents the community. It is a canvas for art. It’s a unique part of New York City.