***UPDATE TO PRIOR RELEASE: Please note that the work schedule in the press release below, which was issued on Oct. 6, has changed. Work causing service changes is no longer necessary during Thanksgiving and Black Friday and the week of Dec. 7 - 11. See below for changes in red text.***
CBTC Signal Modernization, Track Maintenance, Power and Lighting Upgrades Being Performed Weekends and Weeknights
Pump System Upgrades Being Coordinated with Signal Work and Accelerated for Early Completion; Improvements Will Help System Remain Resilient During Major Storms
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced it is advancing the installation of a modern signaling system and track maintenance work along the Queens Boulevard Line, as well as other coordinated capital improvements to the power, lighting, and pumping systems.
In particular, the MTA is taking advantage of lower-than-normal ridership due to the ongoing pandemic to accelerate work to improve the reliability of the 53rd St Tube pump system, while also advancing with the signal modernization effort, power system upgrades and lighting improvements. Bolstering the readiness of the pump system will help ensure the effectiveness of the pumping system in a key tunnel under the East River during major storms. The pump system project was originally scheduled to start in mid-2021 and is now projected to finish a year ahead of schedule. Service changes associated with the planned work begin this weekend.
This portion of the overarching project to modernize the line is being funded with federal dollars allotted as part of Superstorm Sandy-related improvements. Eventually, the broader signal modernization and resiliency work along the line will allow more trains to operate per hour, increasing customer capacity and enhancing the reliability of train service on the line. MTA officials have conducted outreach to impacted communities and to local elected officials.
“Modernizing subway signals and hardening our system against future weather events is critical to providing more, and better, transit service,” said Janno Lieber, President of MTA Construction & Development. "And by accelerating this work by almost a year, and getting it done while ridership is low, we will minimize impacts to riders and make sure they have a better system as they return to using transit.”
“NYC Transit continues to coordinate necessary maintenance work with major construction projects, allowing us to get more work done and reduce the impact on customers,” said Sarah Feinberg, NYC Transit Interim President. “We have already begun outreach with the communities who use the Queens Boulevard line and we will continue to as this work progresses.”
Work in the 53rd St Tube under the East River is set to begin late Friday evening. This work will require changes in subway service on select weeknights beginning at 9:45 p.m. and ending the following weekday at 1 a.m. and weekends beginning at 9:45 p.m. on Fridays and ending each Monday at approximately 1 a.m.*
The MTA will also take advantage of traditionally low ridership during the end-of-December holiday period to provide track access in order to accelerate work and prevent future track outages.
The following schedule has been set:
trains will run via the line between Roosevelt Av and West 4 St. on the following dates, and additional weeknights in 2021:
Oct. 9-12 Weekend
Oct. 12-16 Weeknights
Oct. 16-19 Weekend
Oct. 19-23 Weeknights
Oct. 23-26 Weekend
Nov. 20-23 Weekend
Dec. 11-14 Weekend
The MTA will also take advantage of traditionally low ridership during holiday periods to provide track access in order to accelerate work and prevent future track outages.
The following service changes will be in effect on the following weeknights, with no subway service between 50 St-8 Av in Manhattan and Roosevelt Av in Queens:
Dec. 7-11
Dec. 14-18
Dec. 21-24
Jan. 4-8
- trains will run between Jamaica Center and Roosevelt Av.
- trains will run in two sections; 179 St to Roosevelt Av, and 21 St-Queensbridge to Coney Island.
- and trains will end early in Queens and Manhattan.
- trains will run local to replace via Lower Manhattan to replace and trains.
- Shuttle Buses to serve closed stations in Queens: Roosevelt Av to Queensboro Plaza; 21 St-Queensbridge-Queensboro Plaza - Court Square
- For Manhattan service to/from Eastern Queens, and customers should transfer to/from the at Roosevelt Av.
- For Manhattan service to/from Long Island City, customers should use the or at Queensboro Plaza.
Additional outages are anticipated and updates will be provided.
The MTA will post both print and digital signage in stations, along with announcements in stations and on trains ahead of the scheduled work. Customer service notifications including travel alternatives will be made on trains, posted at affected stations and posted on the MTA website, the MYmta app and social media. Customers can also sign up for text and email alerts at www.myMTAalerts.com.
*NOTE: Overnight subway service remains suspended until further notice between 1 am and 5 am every night to facilitate system disinfecting.