Mid last year (2023) the MTA announced that F train service would be disrupted nearly every weekend and the M train would shut down service in Queens due to critical track replacement.
Finally, regular service will be restored on both the F and M lines this April.
The MTA announced on Tuesday, March 19th, that critical track replacement work along the F line between 47-50 St-Rockefeller Center in Manhattan and 36 St in Queens will be completed by the end of this month.
Once the work is complete, F & M trains will resume making their regular stops in Manhattan and Queens beginning Monday, April 1st at 5am.
The construction project involved improving reliability of both lines, mitigating leaks, and preventing future deterioration. Crews constructed new tracks, installed 25,643 feet of new third rail, installed new signals, repaired cracks, and more.
Additionally, while F trains skipped the 57 St station during this work, the NYC Transit completed their Re-NEW-vation project at the station, converting all light fixtures to LED bulbs and performing other necessary repairs.
As of Saturday, March 30th at 5am, the shuttle that’s been running between Lexington Av-63 St and 21 St-Queensbridge will be suspended.
Straphangers are encouraged to review the following service updates and alternatives:
- A free shuttle bus will connect Roosevelt Island, 21 St-Queensbridge, and Queens Plaza beginning Friday, March 29 at 11:30pm (will run every 5-10 min. during daytime and overnight hours for the duration of the weekend)
- The F train will continue to operate via the E in both directions
- M train service will operate between Metropolitan Av and Delancey St-Essex St, and via the J to/from Chambers Street on Friday, March 29 between 5:30am and 10pm
- M trains will resume normal overnight/weekend service on Friday, March 29 at 10pm
According to the MTA, the restoration of this service will affect an average of 149,000 daily straphangers that use this part of the subway system.
As always, subway riders can find current subway statuses here and upcoming planned service changes here.