MTA announces track and ADA work on Flushing Line and Grand Central Shuttle
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
Critical repairs bring service changes to part of MTA’s lines.
Marc A. Hermann/MTA New York City Transit
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) last Friday announced forthcoming track and accessibility work along the Flushing 
line and on the 42 St 
, detailing the alternative service changes that will accommodate customers while the necessary work is completed during the winter months.
The Authority is taking advantage of lower ridership due to the pandemic to conduct vital work on the two Manhattan crosstown sections of track, with work on the 42 St taking place during weekdays and work on the line primarily taking place on weekends. This provides customers traveling across Midtown Manhattan an alternate subway option at most times throughout the duration of these projects.
On the Flushing line, crews will replace track near the Grand Central-42 St station. The existing track has reached the end of its useful life and requires complete replacement, which will lead to improved reliability and better service at one of the busiest stations in the system. Crews will take advantage of track access to remove unused components of the old signal system now that the move to a modernized Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system has been completed. The work, which gets underway Jan. 9 and is expected to be completed by mid-March, will also be bring needed improvements to fan plants near the Steinway Tunnel.
On the 42 St , crews will spend weekdays in January and the second half of February advancing structural work for the future ADA accessible Shuttle’s new two-track, center-platform configuration. The work includes installation of piles and structural steel at Times Square-42 St and mezzanine demolition work at Grand Central-42 St. This work is part of the broader 42 St Connection Project which reimagines the Shuttle and brings accessible Shuttle service to customers with disabilities.
“This is critically important work that will help us in our broader efforts at modernizing the signaling system and bringing full accessibility to one of the most trafficked parts of our entire system,” said Janno Lieber, President of MTA Construction & Development. “The 42nd St work in particular is an example of how we’re using this period of low ridership to improve an area that is generally one of the busiest in the system and doing work more efficiently during this challenging time.”
During weekends and select weekday overnight hours, train service will be suspended between Queensboro Plaza in Queens and 34 St-Hudson Yards in Manhattan. Customers will have several alternative service options and the work will be completed on nights beginning at 11:45 p.m. and weekends in order to reduce customer inconvenience.
Print and digital signage will be posted in stations and announcements will be altered accordingly to help inform customers in stations and on trains ahead of the scheduled work.
Overnight subway service remains suspended until further notice between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. every night to facilitate system disinfecting.
For more information, please visit the MTA website.
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