Our subways need a lot of maintenance, and that means riders need to deal with some inconveniences as the MTA gets to work between now and April 16 on a "major track renewal and component replacement project along the Queens Boulevard Line." This means Manhattan-bound E and F customers that board between Sutphin Boulevard (F) and 75th Avenue (E, F) stations will need to to back-ride Queens-bound trains and then change for Manhattan-bound trains at non-affected stations. According to the MTA, "This will add about ten minutes to a rush-hour trip."
The MTA adds, "The track closure will be in effect 24 hours a day as the tracks and support equipment are completely replaced with new ties, tie blocks, plates and rails." Which means that the workers can get the work done faster.
The Manhattan-bound trains will bypass the Sutphin Boulevard (F), Briarwood-Van Wyck Boulevard (EF) and 75th Avenue (EF) stations. One rider who uses these station understands that the MTA needs to do its work, but complained to WCBS 2 that there was only a little sign at the token booth warning riders, "Do you think I’m really just looking at this little sign here? I buy a monthly so I don’t even come to the booth."
More from the MTA:
E and F riders at 75th Avenue wishing to travel towards Manhattan must board a Queens-bound train, travel to the Union Turnpike-Kew Gardens station and transfer to a Manhattan-bound train.
E and F riders at Briarwood-Van Wyck Boulevard must board a Queens-bound train and travel to the Jamaica-Van Wyck (E) or Parsons Boulevard (F) stations to transfer to a Manhattan-bound train.
F riders at Sutphin Boulevard (F) must board a Queens-bound train and travel to Parsons Boulevard (F) to transfer to a Manhattan-bound train.
You can get more details at NYC Transit Service Advisory.
