Nov. 16, 2023 By Nevine Salameh
Beginning Saturday, Nov. 18 and continuing through next spring, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced upgrades aimed at improving the accessibility of the Queensboro Plaza station, causing changes to regular weekend services.
The upgrades include the installation of a new platform mezzanine elevator shaft, mezzanine expansion by ceiling concrete placement, weatherproofing and communication system upgrades.
Crews will continue working through into 2024, focusing on the installation of a platform mezzanine elevator with glass and stainless-steel cladding, the construction of a permanent shaft roof, more communication system upgrades and the replacement of the entire upper platform topping slab and platform stairs.
The MTA’s efforts toward expanding the station’s accessibility will cause service changes for the following weekends: every Saturday from 12:01 a.m. to Monday 4 a.m. on Nov. 18-20, Jan. 6-8, Jan. 13-15, Jan. 20-22, Jan. 27-29, March 9-11, March 16-18 and April 6-8. During this period, commuters are asked to make note of these scheduled adjustments in order to plan their trips accordingly,
Between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., the E and R trains will change to running every eight minutes instead of the usual 12 minutes. Overnight, the E trains will additionally follow a rerouted path via the R, running from Queens Plaza to 34th St. Herald Square.
During the weekend peak hours, the 7 trains will be suspended between 34th Street and Hudson Yards, but will continue to operate through Main Street and 74th Street-Broadway every eight minutes.
Courtesy of the MTA
The N trains will undergo a rerouting and operate between 96th Street, 2nd Avenue and Stillwell Avenue and during the day, the N shuttle train will run between Astoria Ditmars Boulevard and 39th Avenue every 12 minutes.
Courtesy of the MTA
Courtesy of the MTA
Throughout the night, the 42nd Street shuttle trains will run consistently through Times Square 42nd Street and Grand Central 42nd Street.
Free shuttle buses will be available during the service upgrades and will operate between 74th Street-Broadway and Queens Plaza, Queens Plaza and Vernon Boulevard, Jackson Avenue, 39th Avenue and Queens Plaza — which offers a free walking transfer between two stations — and 34th Street-Hudson Yards between Times Square-42nd Street, only during overnights.
Courtesy of the MTA
The Long Island Railroad will additionally cross-honor MetroCard and OMNY tickets for trips between Flushing, Mets-Willets Point, Penn Station or Grand Central Madison, and all Woodside trains.
For additional details or real-time updates on MTA services, the MTA encourages all commuters to visit mta.info for information on upcoming planned service changes. Additionally, commuters can dial 511 or sign up for emails, text alerts and MTA newsletters. They can also chat or receive customer assistance through WhatsApp and download the MYmta app, which provides real-time train and bus arrival times, along with other essential travel information.