The confluence of tracks to the north of Grand Central was considered to be the city's "most fearful death-trap" by The New York Times in 1872, and large meetings were held to protest the deaths caused by collisions between trains and pedestrians.

[6] The preexisting track level in this section was maintained as the streets crossed over the line via iron bridges.

On June 20, the entire improvement opened, and the first trains from Grand Central to the Harlem River were witnessed by large crowds of spectators.

Masonry work continued to be done to lengthen the tunnel at Yorkville down to 80th Street, arching over the tracks.

[12] At this time, local rapid transit trains were expected to begin operation by September 1875 and were to serve stations yet under construction.

[10] This station opened on May 15, 1876 with the introduction of partial rapid transit on the Harlem Line, with sixteen trains a day running between Grand Central Depot and William's Bridge.

[17] The Central had applied for permission to discontinue the two stations as they were operated at a loss, and as it was purported that having trains stop in the tunnel was a threat to public safety.

At the south ends of the platforms staircases led to a mezzanine level where the ticket office was located.