Sutphin Blvd/Archer Av-JFK and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer Scheduled to Resume Train Service on Nov. 2, as Phase 2 of Critical Track Replacement Work Begins
Phase 1 Completion Expected On Time and On Budget; Project Timeline Accelerated by Lower Than Normal Subway Ridership and Airport Travel
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that train service is returning to the Sutphin Blvd/Archer Av-JFK and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer subway stations in Queens on Nov. 2, as Phase 2 of critical track replacement work is scheduled to begin. Phase 2 of the project will start immediately following the completion of Phase 1.
Phase 2 of the project is scheduled to last to mid-December, will replace track at the Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer station. During this phase, service will operate on a single track at Jamaica Center every 8 minutes during rush hours, every 10 minutes middays/early evenings and every 12 minutes late evenings/weekends. Additional service will continue to operate between 179 St and World Trade Center during rush hours. When finished, crews will have replaced more than a mile of track with continuously welded rail, which allows for a smoother ride with fewer delays due to maintenance issues. In addition, 3,300 feet of concrete will be replaced throughout the project area.
The MTA was able to accelerate the project timeline by taking advantage of low airport travel and low general subway ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing overnight subway shutdown between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. to minimize the disruption of the work and impact as few riders as possible.
“This is just the latest example of how we are completing projects on time and on budget to give customers the best possible experience as we modernize the system,” said Janno Lieber, President of MTA Construction & Development. “Without the adequate emergency federal funding we need in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, critical work such as this line track replacement will be in jeopardy.”
“There is still work to do but our Southeast Queens customers can resume their normal commute and will notice a much smoother ride into and out of their station,” said Sarah Feinberg, Interim President of New York City Transit. “I’m particularly proud of the extensive community outreach we performed for this project, staying in close touch with local leaders and even holding virtual town hall meetings.”
Phase 1 work, which requires the temporary suspension of train service at the two stations, is running ahead of schedule which has allowed the Authority to perform an additional 800 feet of rail replacement and 2,000 feet of third rail upgrades within the project limits. Once the entire project is completed, more than 6,300 feet of track and over 9,800 feet of third rail will be installed between Jamaica-Van Wyck and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer. During Phase 1 of the project, which began on Sept. 19, service has been suspended at both stations to maximize track access and minimize any future track outages.
Since 2016, there have been 46 incidents between Jamaica-Van Wyck and Jamaica Center on the line because of track conditions, resulting in 713 delayed trains.
MTA officials hosted two community meetings, held remotely, in late August and early September to explain the full scope of work being done. Mask Force volunteers were out at affected stations in September for further outreach. This is in conjunction with print and digital signage displayed at stations, along with announcements in stations and on trains ahead of the next phase. Customer service notifications will be made on trains, posted at affected stations and posted on the MTA website, the MYmta app and social media. Customers can also sign up for text and email alerts at www.myMTAalerts.com.
Maps, fact sheets, trip planning and other resources are available on the project’s webpage at https://new.mta.info/projects/jamaica-track-reconstruction and updated periodically.