Dozen Weekend Disruptions Scheduled
After muddling through more than a dozen weekend service disruptions throughout 2014, 7 train riders in western Queens can expect more of the same in 2015.
In an advisory on its website, the MTA announced that segments of the Flushing Line between Times Square-42nd Street and Flushing-Main Street would be closed on 12 weekends between January and May.
Reportedly, the shutdowns are required in order for crews to continue replacing track on the elevated structure; repairing and fortifying the Steinway Tubes, which were flooded during Hurricane Sandy in 2012; and installing Communications- Based Train Control (CBTC) that will allow the authority to better track and record train movement.
“The majority of this work is scheduled over weekends when ridership is lower and gives our workers continuous, train-free access to the 7 line,” according to the MTA statement. “We are aware of the inconvenience these and other disruptions cause and we appreciate your patience.”
The projects, the MTA noted would “bring a modern, state-ofthe art signal system and reliable, resistant infrastructure upgrades.”
Most of the weekend service disruptions will take place between late Friday night and early the following Monday morning, but in some instances, shutdowns will begin at 2 a.m. Saturday morning. All scheduled service disruptions are weather permitting and subject to change.
The first round of shutdowns is scheduled for the weekends of Jan. 2-5 and Jan. 9-12, when 7 train service will be suspended between Mets-Willets Point and Flushing-Main Street. Free shuttle buses will replace 7 trains in the affected segment.
Thereafter, 7 trains will not operate between Times Squareby 42nd Street and Queensboro Plaza on the weekends of Jan. 17- 19, Jan. 24-26, Jan. 30-Feb. 2 and Feb. 6-9.
When the MTA interrupts service on the 7 line between Queens and Manhattan, it directs riders to use alternate lines such as the E, F or R trains (available at 74th Street- Roosevelt Avenue) or the N or an extended Q train (available at Queensboro Plaza).
After a two-weekend break, 7 train service will be disrupted again on the weekends of Feb. 27-Mar. 2 and Mar. 6-9, with no trains operating between Times Square-42nd Street and 74th Street-Broadway.
For three weekends-Mar. 14-16, 21-23 and 28-30-7 train service will be suspended between Times Square-42nd Street and Hunters Point Avenue in Long Island City.
Finally, the MTA plans another service disruption between Mets-Willets Point and Flushing-Main Street the weekend of May 22-25.
Visit www.mta.info for further information about the scheduled disruptions and up-todate service information.
