The first phase of work to replace and install more than 5,500 feet of track and more than 7,800 feet of third rail at or near two stations at the end of the E subway line in Queens will be completed ahead of schedule and on budget, announced the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
This will allow MTA to perform additional upgrade projects within the originally allotted construction period to prevent future track outages and disruptions to customers.
The existing track had reached the end of its useful life, requiring complete replacement which will lead to improved reliability and better service throughout the line in Queens and Manhattan. Since 2016, there have been 46 incidents between Jamaica-Van Wyck and Jamaica Center on the E subway line because of track conditions, resulting in 713 delayed trains.
The additional upgrade work being performed thanks to the accelerated construction work includes further track and third rail improvements.
“MTA Construction & Development continues to complete more projects ahead of schedule and on budget than ever before,” said Janno Lieber, president of MTA Construction & Development. “This is yet another example highlighting the MTA’s need for billions in federal funding so we can continue knocking out projects that improve the system and head off major disruptions for customers.”
The critical project, which could not be delayed, is being done at a time of historically low ridership to minimize the impact to customers.
Phase 2 of the project, which will allow restoration of some E subway train service in the two-station project corridor, is scheduled to begin in early November and last until mid-December. When finished, crews will have replaced more than a mile of track with continuously welded rail, the same rail that was used in the Second Avenue Subway project which allows for a smoother ride with fewer delays due to maintenance issues. In addition, 3,300 feet of concrete and will be replaced throughout the project area.
The MTA can accelerate the project’s timeline by taking advantage of low airport travel and low general subway ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to minimize the disruption of the work and impact as few riders as possible.