New York MTA advancing signal, pump system and other line improvements to reduce customer impacts on Queens Boulevard Line

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) 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.

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 Oct. 9.

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, New York City 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 Oct. 8. The MTA will also take advantage of traditionally low ridership during the Thanksgiving and end-of-December holiday periods to provide track access in order to accelerate work and prevent future track outages.