MTA to begin final phase of Queens track replacement project in July

June 6, 2022

Crews will spend 10 weeks replacing 12,500 feet of track and third rail that MTA says will lead to increased durability and improved quality of service.

Mass Transit Staff Report

A September 2020 image from work being performed on the E Line in Queens during the first phase of a multi-phase track replacement project. The final phase is set to begin July 1 and take approximately 10 weeks to complete. [Marc A. Hermann/MTA New York City Transit]

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) crews will begin the final phase of a track replacement project that is expected to take 10 weeks to complete and require a temporary shutdown of the J and Z service between Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Jamaica Center-Parson/Archer stations.

MTA says it will provide free substitute shuttle bus service during the track shutdown and MetroCards will be cross honored at Long Island Rail Road stations between Atlantic Terminal, Jamaica Station and Southeast Queens.

“Improving the customer experience is the north star,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “The fastest and most effective way to complete this project requires 24/7 access to the tracks. This short-term service change will provide more reliable service for years to come.”

This phase of work will occur on the J and Z Lines between the 121 St and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer Stations in Queens. Work will begin July 1 and continue through September 2022 to replace 12,500 feet of direct fixation track and third rail. MTA explains the concrete roadbed will be reconstructed entirely except for 3,000 feet of track that will be replaced in kind.

After this final phase of work is completed, MTA will have replaced 18,800 feet of track in Queens. The first phase of this project was completed in December 2020 and saw reconstruction of the E track between Jamaica-Van Wyck and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer Blvd, including the replacement of 6,300 feet of track.

The existing track is four decades old and is being replaced with “a successfully proven updated design to increase durability” that the MTA says will improve quality of service.

“Track replacement work in this area of Queens will bring us closer to our goal – delivering New Yorkers the modern subway system that they deserve,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We appreciate our customers’ patience as we make the upgrades necessary to improve the reliability and speed of J [and] Z service.”