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MTA Announces Regular Service Being Restored to F and M Lines Following Critical Track Replacement Work in Manhattan and Queens

Updated March 19, 2024 3:00 p.m.

 and  Trains to Resume Making All Stops at 5:00 A.M. on Monday, April 1

 

New Track Improves Reliability and Extends Life of Infrastructure

 

Project Completed On Time and On Budget

 

Update: On Friday, March 29  service will run to 57 St due to previously scheduled work finishing ahead of schedule. 

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that critical track replacement work along the  line between 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center in Manhattan and 36 St in Queens will be completed by the end of the month.  and  lines will resume making regular stops in Manhattan and Queens beginning at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1. This project improves reliability, mitigates leaks preventing future corrosion and deterioration, and extends the life of existing infrastructure.

Crews removed existing tracks and constructed new concrete roadbed and track; installed 25,643 feet of new third rail with protection board, brackets and insulators; removed and replaced cables; installed new signals; repaired spalled concrete and cracks, and sealed active leaks.

The shuttle that has been running between Lexington Av-63 St and 21 St-Queensbridge will be suspended beginning at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 30 as part of the final stage of the project.  trains will resume making all stops at 5:00 a.m. on Monday, April 1.

Customers are advised of the following service updates and alternatives:

  • Starting at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29, a free shuttle bus will connect Roosevelt Island, 21 St-Queensbridge, and Queens Plaza, following the current Q94 overnight shuttle route.
  • This shuttle bus will run during daytime and overnight hours for the duration of the weekend and is scheduled to operate approximately every 5 to 10 minutes.
  • The  train will continue to operate via the in both directions.
  • From 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Friday, March 29,  train service will operate between Metropolitan Av and Delancey St-Essex St, and via the  to/from Chambers Street which will be the last stop.
  •  trains will resume normal overnight/weekend service at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, March 29.

While  trains skipped 57 St during this work, New York City Transit completed a Re-NEW-vation project at the station. Workers converted all light fixtures to LED bulbs and installed new fixtures to brighten the entire station. Workers also scraped, primed and repainted station surfaces, removed outdated signage, repaired and replaced wall tiles where needed and inspected all stairway treads and made repairs where necessary.  train customers returning to the station will be met with a cleaner and brighter station.

The MTA offers customers a variety of ways to receive real-time and planned service change information, as well as 24/7 customer support in their multiple languages.

mta.info – The definitive source for real-time arrival information and service change information for each line or route in the MTA system. Customers can find current statuses on mta.info and upcoming planned service changes using the lookup tool at mta.info/alerts.

MYmta app – Customers who use the comprehensive MYmta smartphone app will see real-time train and bus arrival times and other travel information for all MTA services all in one place. The app is available in the Apple Store and in Google Play.   

Email & Text Alerts – Customers can sign up for email and SMS alerts tailored to their specific commutes and travel times. They can also sign up for MTA newsletters like The Weekender, a weekly newsletter that covers major weekend planned service changes. Customers can sign up here.   

WhatsApp – Riders can chat with NYC Transit via WhatsApp for 24/7 customer assistance. With the help of Google Translate, NYC Transit staff offer real-time customer support in up to 108 languages.   

511 – For those who prefer to contact the MTA by telephone, information is available by dialing 511. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the MTA at 511.