The first track on a new lift bridge over the Harlem River was placed into service on November 28, 1954. Before the track could be put into service, track crews worked around-the-clock to connect the bridge track with track on either side of the span at 138th Street and 131st Street, and performed comprehensive power and signal tests. At the time, the second track, also on the west side of the new bridge, was expected to be placed into service within the following two weeks. A year later, the two remaining tracks on the east side of the new bridge would go into service. In the interim, service was to be provided using two tracks on the new bridge and two tracks on the old bridge. On August 9, 1956, the largest stone and concrete pier of the old bridge was removed through the use of explosives.