Dec. 22, 2015 Staff Report
The MTA will suspend 7 train service between Queens and Manhattan for eight weekends in 2016, while it conducts service work on the line.
The shutdowns will take place Jan. 22 to 25, March 18 to 21, April 1 to 4 and 15 to 18, Oct. 21 to 24 and 28 to 31 and Nov. 11 to 14 and 18 to 21.
Between 11:30 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday over these weekends, 7 train service will be suspended between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square in both directions. Free shuttle buses will make stops at Queensboro Plaza, Court Square, Hunters Point Avenue and Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue, according to the MTA.
Much of next year’s work on the 7 line involves the replacement of a decades-old signaling system, according to the MTA. The agency said it will be testing recently installed equipment for a new system that will allow for countdown clocks and more trains per hour.
Segments of the 7 line’s elevated tracks are also slated for replacement, including at 46 Street, 52 Street and outside Flushing Main Street. Under the East River, reconstruction from Hurricane Sandy damage will continue along the tunnel between Queens and Manhattan.
According to the MTA, an increase in N/Q service will coincide with certain 7 train suspension weekends. The agency could not immediately be reached for questions about this increase.