MTA New York City Transit is reminding customers that it will begin critical structural, safety, and other repairs and improvements to two non-adjacent subway stations on the  line -- 72 St and 86 St – on May 7 and June 4, respectively.

In order to expedite the projects, the stations will be closed while the work is being done, with  and  trains skipping those stations but still available at 81 St, 96 St and 59 St-Columbus Circle.  72 St will reopen in early October, and 86 St will reopen in late October.

When the projects are completed, customers will benefit from critical structural and safety repairs and improvements to concrete and steel features such as columns, beams, platforms, walls and stairs. There will also be other improvements and upgrades such as improved waterproofing, turnstile areas with new glass barriers, new security cameras, LED lighting for increased light and energy efficiency, and enhanced signage for easier navigation including digital, real-time service change and train and bus arrival information. 

“We appreciate our customers’ patience while we do these critical repairs and improvements,” said NYC Transit President Andy Byford.  “These temporary closures will prepare these stations for decades of continued service. We’re deploying customer service personnel to help riders through this transition and will hold the contractor to the aggressive work schedule.”

For alternate service during these projects, riders can use the adjacent  stations at 81 St, 96 St and 59 St-Columbus Circle.  Service on the M10 bus, which runs along the route of the , line, has been increased to help customers choosing to take the bus.

Extra customer service personnel will be on hand, and officials will monitor subway and bus service in the area, to help riders while the projects are underway.

Contracts for the projects were awarded in October 2017, and the closure dates were first announced in February of this year.  Station signage has been alerting customers to the closure dates, and these projects have also been the subject of two public meetings held locally recently.