Tunnel Street

March 17, 2023

NYC looks to ‘beautify’ 191st Street tunnel again

Two months after painting the mural- and graffiti-covered 191st Street pedestrian tunnel white, New York City announced plans to "beautify" the underground path once again. The Department of Transportation on Thursday issued a request for proposals seeking artists to submit "bold, colorful designs" for the tunnel that reflect the "rich cultural identity of Washington Heights." The request comes after community members criticized the agency for "whitewashing" an iconic piece of the neighborhood, as Gothamist reported.
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August 17, 2020

Inside the graffiti-covered 191st Street tunnel, NYC’s deepest subway and only underground ‘street’

The deepest subway station in New York City lies 173 feet below ground (18 stories!) at the 191st Street stop of the 1 train. This stop is also known for the 1,000-foot-long tunnel that connects its station at St. Nicholas Avenue to an entrance on Broadway. Called "Tunnel Street," this is technically the only underground street in the city. For years, however, it was a dark and dingy passageway that troubled locals, so about six years ago, the city commissioned six artists to paint the tunnel with colorful murals. Ahead, photographers James and Karla Murray give us a video tour of the tunnel, along with the insanely deep subway station.
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