By Philip Newman
The MTA will carry out its Fastrack maintenance starting Monday, Jan. 20, on the E. F, M, and R subway lines in Queens and Manhattan.
The program was started in January 2010 to provide maintenance for tunnels, stations and tracks for four consecutive weekend nights by a large contingent of MTA employees.
From 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for four consecutive weeknights starting Monday through early Friday morning, service will be suspended between Roosevelt Avenue and World Trade Center.
F service will be suspended between Roosevelt Avenue and 21st St. Queensbridge. M service will end each night between 71st Avenue and Essex Street. R service will end early between 71st Avenue and Whitehall Street each night.
The MTA suggests these travel alternatives:
Take 7 between Manhattan and 74th St./Roosevelt or Queensboro Plaza.
Take N between Manhattan and Queensboro Plaza.
In Manhattan, transfer at 5th Ave/Bryant Park (7 D F), Times Square.-42nd Street/Port Authority (7 A) and 34th Street –Herald Square (D F N).
Take the R between Queens Plaza and 71st Avenue. When R service ends, E trains run local between Queens Plaza and 71st Avenue until 10 p.m. Take the E Local between Roosevelt Avenue and 71st Avenue.
In Manhattan along 8 Avenue, take the A local or C instead of the E.
Along 53rd Street, use the D or nearby 6 and N stations instead,
Free shuttle buses run local between Queensboro Plaza and 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue, making station stops at Queens Plaza, 36th Street, Steinway Street, 46th Street, Northern Boulevard and 65th Street/
In Queeens, transfer between shuttle buses and trains at 74th Street/Roosevelt Avenue (7 E F) or Queensboro Plaza (7 N).
Reach contributing writer Philip Newman by e-mail at timesledgernews@cnglocal.com or phone at 718-260-4536.
