New York MTA announces major switch replacement work on 4, 5, 6 Lines to improve system reliability
Crews will begin to replace track switches and perform an array of other improvement projects on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) 4, 5, 6 Lines beginning Aug. 10.
These improvements will lead to better reliability and service throughout the lines in Brooklyn, The Bronx and Manhattan. The work will require overnight and weekend suspension of 4, 5, 6 trains in Manhattan south of 42 St-Grand Central, and 4, 5 trains in Brooklyn.
“Our fiscal crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic are real challenges, but they’re not going to stop us from performing this critical project to improve the reliability, performance and safety of our system for 4, 5, 6 subway riders in Brooklyn, the Bronx and Manhattan,” said NYC Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg. “We’re working to make sure this work causes as few disruptions as possible for our customers and look forward to getting this vital project started.”
“This is a prime example of our approach to bundling projects in order to maximize the amount of work we’re able to perform at any given time,” said MTA Construction and Development President Janno Lieber. “In order to maintain our progress on projects like these, we need the federal government to step up and provide the funding that will keep our transit system operating.”
MTA says August traditionally sees some of the lowest subway ridership of the year, minimizing the disruption of the work and impacting as few riders as possible. The impact on customers is also significantly reduced due to the ongoing overnight subway shutdown between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., during which there is alternate service available on MTA buses.
Replacing track switches at Union Square will allow the 4, 5, 6 lines to move safely between the local and express tracks at that location while providing operational flexibility, reducing delays and improving reliability. The switches were last replaced more than 20 years ago, in 1989 and 1999.
While this switch replacement work is happening, MTA Construction and Development and other departments from across NYC Transit will use the track access created by this work to also perform a multitude of other reliability improvement projects, including to replace track at Canal St and Borough Hall, perform rail grinding at multiple locations and repair structural components in the tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn.
In order to maximize the efficiency of track access, MTA Construction and Development is also bundling an array of other capital improvement work on the Eastern Parkway section of the 4, 5 lines, including water damage repair and prevention, concrete and rebar restoration and the relocation of light fixtures for better resiliency.
The stations in Manhattan that will be closed during construction hours have alternate subway lines within one to four blocks. All 4, 5 line stations in Brooklyn will remain open with alternate train service, in addition to alternate bus service in both boroughs.
Because trains must move slowly over the track switches at Grand Central, the MTA is allowing for extra time in the schedules for trains running between Lexington Av-59 St and Grand Central-42 St. As a result, customers are encouraged to transfer at Lexington Av-59 St.
The 42 St Shuttle and 7 train will provide connections between 4, 5, 6 trains terminating at Grand Central-42 St and continuing service to Brooklyn on 2, 3 Subway trains at 42 St-Times Square. The 42 St shuttle, which was temporarily suspended at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and kept suspended in order to accelerate progress on the 42 St Connection Project, will be restored in order to help provide the alternate service for this project.
4 trains will make local stops in Manhattan and 5 trains will not operate in Manhattan, with specific service varying each weekend.
2 and 3 trains will serve all 4 and 5 stations in Brooklyn. Customers traveling between the Bronx and Brooklyn should transfer to a 2 train at 149 St-Grand Concourse.
Customers can take the N, R trains to Times Square in Manhattan or Atlantic Av-Barclays Center in Brooklyn to reconnect with the 2, 3 line for service to 4, 5 stations in Brooklyn.
N trains will run via Lower Manhattan to provide additional service at stations near 4, 5, 6 stations without service. Customers can transfer between N, R trains, 4 and 6 trains at Lexington Av-59 St.
The work is scheduled during the following weeknights from 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.:
- Aug. 10 – 14
- Aug. 17 – 21
- Aug. 24 – 28
The work is also being performed during the following weekends from 9:30 p.m. Friday to 5:00 a.m. Monday:
- Aug. 14 – 17
- Aug. 21 – 24
- Aug. 28 – 31
