Service Changes are Part of Subway Action Plan, Station Repairs and Other Ongoing Maintenance, and Upgrade Work for Improvements on Multiple Lines

These weekend service changes are part of the MTA Subway Action Plan, station improvements in Queens and Manhattan, and ongoing maintenance, repair and upgrade work throughout the MTA New York City Transit subway system to maintain and upgrade track, signal, station and other infrastructure in order to provide customers with safe and reliable service.  More information on the 2015-2019 MTA Capital Program is available here. 

This weekend, work crews will be dispersed throughout the entire subway system to perform a variety of critical tasks in the areas of track replacement and maintenance, signal modernization, station enhancements, electrical upgrades and communication improvements.  All this work is aligned with the MTA Subway Action Plan, a comprehensive plan to stabilize and modernize the subway system by attacking the key drivers of 79 percent of delay-causing major incidents and strategically targeting additional personnel and equipment to focus on critical parts of the system.   

For a simple, graphical guide that makes it easy to visualize how this weekend maintenance, upgrade and repair work will affect subway service – and what alternative travel options are recommended – consult The Weekender at web.mta.info/weekender.html. The Weekender is accessible through the MTA website by clicking the “Weekender” tab within the Service Status Menu, and is also available as a free app for iPhone and Android devices.

TripPlanner+ is an online tool that provides customized travel guidance based on available service and takes weekend service diversions into account.  In addition, customers can receive customized subway status emails or texts by signing up at www.MyMTAalerts.com.

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, until early 2020,  trains will skip 168 St in both directions due to elevator replacement work. For alternate service take the  at this station. Transfer between  and  trains at 59 St-Columbus Circle.  A free out-of-system transfer with a MetroCard is available between the 207 St or 215 St  and 207 St .  Take the M5 to/from 157 St .  Late nights, the M5 will run between 168 St and 157 St.  For a graphical guide to these alternate travel directions click here.

This work at 168 St is part of a major elevator replacement project at five separate “deep” stations in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan.  The  line part of the 168 St station is 112 years old.  Some of the oldest components in these elevators and the accompanying machine rooms are more than 90 years old.  When completed, the elevator doors at 168 St  will open at both the front and rear sides at the lower mezzanine level.  The rear passageway behind the elevators at the lower mezzanine level will be reopened in order to improve customer flow.  Other improvements include lighting and staircase upgrades, concrete repair and the installation of new handrails.  

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, free shuttle buses and  trains replace  trains between 96 St and Wakefield-241 St due to track replacement north of 135 St.   trains will run between Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College and 96 St.   trains will run between Bowling Green and E 180 St, and via the  line to/from Wakefield-241 St.  Free express and local shuttle buses will run between 96 St and 149 St-Grand Concourse.  Transfer at 96 St and/or 149 St-Grand Concourse. 

From 11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, shuttle buses and  trains replace  trains due to track replacement north of 135 St.   service is suspended.   trains will run between Flatbush Av-Brooklyn College and 96 St.   trains will run to/from New Lots Av all weekend.  Free shuttle buses will run between 96 St and 148 St.  Transfer between  trains and free shuttle buses at 96 St.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7,  trains will operate to/from New Lots Av all weekend, replacing the  in Brooklyn due to track replacement north of 135 St.    

From 3:45 a.m. Saturday, Jan 5, to 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, uptown trains skip 161 St-Yankee Stadium, 167 St, 170 St, Mt Eden Av, and 176 St due to track replacement near 167 St.  As an alternative, use a downtown  to complete your trip.  Transfer at Burnside Av or 149 St-Grand Concourse.     

From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, trains run every 16 minutes between 125 St and Woodlawn due to track replacement near 167 St. The last stop for some trains headed toward Woodlawn is 125 St.  Transfer at 125 St to continue your trip. 

At all times until late winter 2018-19, trains will skip 28 St in both directions due to MTA’s Enhanced Station Initiative project.  The 28 St station is one of the oldest in the subway system, opening in October 1904. For alternate service, use the nearby  stations along Park Avenue South at 33 St or 23 St.  Or, use the nearby 28 St  station on Broadway.  Local buses are also available along Lexington and Madison avenues.  For a graphical guide to these alternate travel directions, click here.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7,  service will operate in two sections all weekend due to track replacement.   trains will run between Bowling Green and Wakefield-241 St, and between E 180 St and Eastchester-Dyre Av.  To continue your trip, transfer at E 180 St. 

From 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, to 4:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, free shuttle buses and  trains replace  service between 34 St-Hudson Yards and Queensboro Plaza due to essential track maintenance.  The work will include vital repairs to a 2,000-foot section of track near Grand Central.  Replacing this section of track requires chipping out existing concrete, the installation of a temporary track structure, and the pouring of new concrete.  Workers will also address water conditions, worn rail, deteriorated track ties, essential calibration activity for the new CBTC system, and the removal of now out-of-service signal equipment replaced by CBTC.  For more information regarding this essential track repair work on the Flushing line, refer to this prior press release.   

This weekend,  trains will operate between Flushing-Main St and Queensboro Plaza.  Use the  or  for service between Manhattan and Queens.  Transfer at Queensboro Plaza  or 74 St-Roosevelt Av .  Free shuttle buses run along two routes:  between 34 St-Hudson Yards and Times Sq-42 St, and between Queensboro Plaza and Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av.   runs days/evenings; 42 St  Shuttle runs overnight.     

From 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, downtown trains skip 50 St, 23 St, and Spring St due to track and switch maintenance near 59 St-Columbus Circle.  As an alternative, use an uptown  local,  or  train to complete your trip.  Transfer at Canal St, W 4 St, 14 St, 34 St-Penn Station, 42 St-Port Authority, or 59 St-Columbus Circle .  For service to Spring St, take a Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound  train via transfer at W 4 St.  Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound  trains will run via the  from W 4 St to Jay St-MetroTech during this time.  As a reminder,  trains do not run overnight. 

From 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, free shuttle buses and  trains replace  trains between Howard Beach and Far Rockaway/Rockaway Park due to track maintenance.   trains will run between Inwood-207 St and Howard Beach.   shuttle trains will run between Rockaway Park and Far rockaway every 20 minutes.  Free shuttle buses will run along two routes: nonstop between Howard Beach and Far Rockaway, and between Howard Beach and Rockaway Park stopping at Broad Channel, Beach 98 St, and Beach 105 St.  Transfer at Howard Beach-JFK Airport , Beach 98 St , or Far Rockaway . 

Beginning 8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, service ends early due to track maintenance.  As an alternative, take the  and/or .  As a reminder,  service does not operate on weekends. 

At all times until January 2019,  trains will skip 167 St in both directions due to MTA’s Enhanced Station Initiative project.  As an alternative, customers are advised to use the nearby stations at 170 St , 167 St , or 161 St-Yankee Stadium.  Use the Bx1 or Bx2 along Grand Concourse and transfer to the subway at 170 St  or 161 St-Yankee Stadium with a MetroCard.  Use the Bx35 along E 167 St and transfer to the  at 167 St station with a MetroCard.  For transfers to another bus, ask the bus operator for a MetroCard Bus Transfer, which can be used on another local bus ride within two hours.  For return trips, ask the station agent for a transfer to the bus.  For a graphical guide to these alternate travel directions, click here.

From 5:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and Sunday, Jan. 6, free shuttle buses replace trains between Coney Island-Stillwell Av and Bay Pkwy due to track maintenance.   trains will run between Bay Pkwy and Norwood-205 St.  Free shuttle buses will make all  line station stops between Coney Island-Stillwell Av and Bay Pkwy.  Transfer between trains and free shuttle buses at Bay Pkwy. 

From 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, downtown trains skip 23 St and Spring St due to track maintenance and switch maintenance near 59 St-Columbus Circle.  As an alternative, use an uptown  local,  or  train to complete your trip.  Transfer at Canal St, W 4 St, 14 St, and 34 St-Penn Station.  For service to Spring St, take a Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound  train via transfer at W 4 St.  Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound  trains will run via the  from W 4 St to Jay St-MetroTech during this time.  As a reminder,  trains do not run overnight. 

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, trains make local stops in both directions at 65 St, Northern Blvd, 46 St, Steinway St, and 36 St due to signal modernization.    

From 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound trains are rerouted via the  line from W 4 St to Jay St-MetroTech due to track maintenance and cable work in the Rutgers Street Tube.  To B’way-Lafayette St, take the  at W 4 St.  From this station, take an uptown  or  train to W 4 St and transfer to a downtown .  For service to 2 Av, Delancey St, and East Broadway, take a downtown  to Jay St-MetroTech and transfer to a Jamaica-bound .  From these stations, take a Jamaica-bound  to W 4 St and transfer to a downtown .  For York St, use the nearby High St  station. 

From 11:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound trains are rerouted via the  line after 36 St to 47-50 Sts due to track maintenance at 57 St.  As an alternative, use a Jamaica-179 St bound  train to complete your trip via transfer at 47-50 Sts or Roosevelt Av.  For Lexington Av/63 St, take the  or a Jamaica-179 St bound  train via transfer at 47-50 Sts. 

From 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, uptown trains skip 14 St and 23 St due to electrical improvements.  As an alternative, use a downtown  train to complete your trip.  Transfer at 34 St-Herald Sq or W 4 St. 

From 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7,  trains will run between Court Sq and Bedford-Nostrand Avs. Free shuttle buses and  trains replace  trains between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av due to station maintenance at Fulton Street. Free shuttle buses will run between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts, and connect with the Jay St-MetroTech, where  service is available.  Use the  for service to/from Church Av.  Transfer at Bedford-Nostrand Avs  and/or Jay St-MetroTech . 

At all times until 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7,  trains run between Broad St and 121 St due to a critical track and switch reconstruction project near Jamaica Center. Free shuttle buses will run between the 121 St  and Jamaica-Van Wyck stations. Transfer between trains and shuttle buses at Jamaica-Van Wyck and/or 121 St. During this reconstruction project, crews will rebuild a portion of the  line, including all tracks and switches, near the Jamaica Center  terminal to ensure safe and reliable service.  Upon completion, customers will benefit from a smoother, more reliable ride. For more information, refer to this press release. A graphical guide to these alternate travel directions is available here. 

Beginning 8:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, service will end early between 71 Av and Delancey-Essex Sts due to structural improvements along the  lines and track panel replacement on the  line. 

From 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, shuttle buses and  trains replace  trains due to structural improvements along the  lines and track panel replacement on the  line.   service is suspended.  Free shuttle buses run between Metropolitan Av and Myrtle Av all weekend.  For service between Myrtle Av and Delancey-Essex Sts, take the .            

At all times until spring 2019, Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound trains skip Fort Hamilton Pkwy, New Utrecht Av, 18 Av, and 20 Av, due to station rehabilitation work on the Sea Beach Line.  When finished, this will yield a better travel experience for customers, including the installation of elevators at 8 Av and New Utrecht Av stations, providing mobility impaired customers with better accessibility, upgraded communication systems, installation of Help Point intercoms, new stairways and handrails, reconstructed platforms and overpasses, repairs to canopies and columns, and artwork.  For service to these stations, use a Manhattan-bound  train to complete your trip.  Transfer at Bay Pkwy or 8 Av.  For New Utrecht Av-62 St, take the  instead.  Transfer between  and  trains at 36 St.   

At all times until July 2019, trains will run local in both directions between 59 St and 36 St in Brooklyn due to structural rehabilitation work to repair and replace steel columns, lighting, ventilators, and deteriorated concrete, and perform water mitigation work to address water seepage in the express tunnel between the 59 St and 36 St stations.   trains will stop at 53 St and 45 St in both directions.

From 11:45 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday and from 11:45 p.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 4 to Jan. 6, uptown trains skip Prince St, 8 St, 23 St and 28 St due to station maintenance.  As an alternative, use a downtown train to complete your trip.  Transfer at 34 St-Herald Sq, 14 St-Union Sq or Canal St. 

From 9:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, uptown trains skip Prince St, 8 St, 23 St and 28 St due to station maintenance.  As an alternative, use a downtown  local or  train to complete your trip.  Transfer at 34 St-Herald Sq, 14 St-Union Sq or Canal St. 

At all times until February 2019, trains will skip Broadway and 39 Av in both directions due to MTA’s Enhanced Station Initiative project.  When this project is 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, a reconfigured mezzanine area including 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.  For alternate service, use the nearby open Astoria line stations at 30 Av, 36 Av, or Queensboro Plaza via the Q102 bus.  For a graphical guide to these alternate travel directions, click here.   

From 9:45 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4, to 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 7, Coney Island-Stillwell Av bound trains skip 30 Av and 36 Av due to station enhancements at Broadway and 39 Av.  As an alternative, use an Astoria-bound  train to complete your trip.  Transfer at Queensboro Plaza or Astoria Blvd.  As a reminder,  trains skip Broadway and 39 Av in both directions until February 2019. 

From 9:45 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, uptown trains skip Prince St, 8 St, 23 St and 28 St due to station maintenance.  As an alternative, use a downtown  local or  train to complete your trip.  Transfer at 34 St-Herald Sq, 14 St-Union Sq or Canal St. 

 (Rockaway Park Shuttle)

From 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, the Rockaway Park Shuttle service at Broad Channel is suspended due to track maintenance.   shuttle trains will run between Rockaway Park and Far Rockaway every 20 minutes.  Free shuttle buses run between Howard Beach and Rockaway Park, stopping at Broad Channel, Beach 98 St, and Beach 105 St.  Transfer between trains and buses at Beach 98 St and Far Rockaway.   

 (42 St Shuttle)

From 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday to Monday, Jan. 5 to Jan. 7, the 42 St shuttle will operate overnight to provide alternate service due to essential track maintenance on the Flushing  Line.

From 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, special weekend service will run between Whitehall St and Ditmars Blvd to provide additional service due to essential track maintenance on the Flushing  Line.