Contract 1 called for the construction of a line from City Hall north to Kingsbridge and a branch under Lenox Avenue and to Bronx Park.

[4] In August 1902, it was reported that the Rapid Transit Commission (RTC) had decided to spend an additional $400,000 to have the elevated portion of the line in the Bronx be constructed with three tracks instead of two.

[5] On May 29, 1903, a proposal by August Belmont to speed up the opening of the subway line to Bronx Park by operating it with elevated trains was presented at a meeting of the RTC.

[6] On January 11, 1905, Assemblyman William J. Ellis introduced legislation that would block the RTC's proposed extension of the line through Bronx Park via a new elevated structure.

[8] The initial segment of the IRT White Plains Road Line opened on November 26, 1904 between East 180th Street and Jackson Avenue.

[9][10][11] Elevated service via this connection was resumed on October 1, 1907 when Second Avenue locals were extended to Freeman Street during rush hours.

[18][19] Service on the new portion of the line was operated as a four-car shuttle from 177th Street due to the power conditions at the time.

The New York State Transit Commission announced plans to extend the southbound platforms at seven stations on the line from Jackson Avenue to 177th Street to accommodate ten-car trains for $81,900 on August 8, 1934.

In addition, it was announced that a flyover to the Dyre Avenue Line would be built, allowing for through-service, and eliminating the need to transfer at East 180th Street.

The final key element to the improvement plan was the elimination of the at-grade junction north of the West Farms Square station, which was a major bottleneck, by closing the spur to 180th Street–Bronx Park.

To make up for the loss of service, an escalator and new stairway would be added at the West Farms Square station at 178th Street and Boston Road.

[27] Starting on October 2, 1953, 5 trains began running express between East 180th Street and Gun Hill Road using the middle track in order to encourage passengers who changed at Gun Hill Road for Third Avenue Elevated service to stay on subway trains.

[33] In 1986, the New York City Transit Authority launched a study to determine whether to close 79 stations on 11 routes, including the White Plains Road Line north of East 180th Street, due to low ridership and high repair costs.

[34][35] Numerous figures, including New York City Council member Carol Greitzer, criticized the plans.

[35][36] Due to rehabilitation of East 180th Street and signal replacements along the line, rush hour peak direction 5 express service was suspended from March 29 to September 3, 2010.

PM northbound express service was suspended again on March 28, 2011 to allow for the second phase of the signal replacement project.