NYC subway service changes: how to get around this weekend

Another weekend, another boatload of service changes on the NYC subway. Thanks to a perfect storm of major reconstruction projects, track maintenance, and other planned improvements, the MTA is planning service changes across nearly every single subway line this weekend.

In fact, it might be easier to note what won’t be messed up this weekend, which is the 6, L, Q, R, and G trains, along with the Staten Island Railway. That’s it. (Maybe consider staying home, if the weather hadn’t convinced you to do so already?)

Otherwise, there are a lot of changes happening on the subway this weekend, so let’s go through it line-by-line:

Bronx-bound 1 trains will skip the 50, 59, 66, 79, and 86 St subway stops; you’ll have to transfer to a downtown 1 or 2 train at 96 or 72 Sts to get to them.

There’s a lot happening with the 2 and 3 trains, so we’ll be brief: those lines will make local stops in Manhattan between 14 and 34 Sts, so plan accordingly. In the Bronx, 2 trains will run on the 5 line between E 180 St and Dyre Ave in the Bronx. And there’s no service between Manhattan and Brooklyn on the 2 and 3 trains, nor will trains stop at Wall St, Fulton St, and Park Pl in the Financial District; use the 4 instead, and the MTA has provided a handy map with alternate routes.

On the 4 train in Brooklyn, trains will run local between Utica Avenue and Atlantic Ave–Barclays Ctr. And in the Bronx, Woodlawn-bound trains will not stop at the following stations: 161 St, 167 St, 170 St, Mt Eden Av and 176 St. The MTA has details on alternate routes here.

We’ve got a lot on the A train, so once again, we’ll keep it brief: In Manhattan, the A is making local stops at 155 St and 163 St; it will not make stops between 168 St and 207 St. There are shuttle buses and service on the 1 train, which you can see here. Downtown trains will skip 50, 23, and Spring Sts, so you’ll have to take uptown trains and transfer to get to those. In Brooklyn, trains will run express between Broadway Junction and Hoyt-Schermerhorn. In Queens, there are no trains between Broad Channel and Far Rockaway-Mott Ave, but there are shuttles that will stop at Beach 90, Beach 67, Beach 60, Beach 44, Beach 36, Beach 25 Sts and Mott Ave. (Phew.)

There are C train changes aplenty: There are no trains between 145 St and 168 St, but A trains will make local stops; Brooklyn-bound trains will not stop at 50 St, 23 St, and Spring St, and there’s no A service either, so you’ll have to take uptown trains and transfer to get to those. And finally, uptown trains run express from Canal St to 145 St; the B and the D trains will be stopping at 23, 50, 72, 81, 86, 96, 103, 110, 116 and 135 Sts.

In Brooklyn, Manhattan-bound trains will run express from Broadway Junction to Hoyt-Schermerhorn, making stops at Utica Ave and Nostrand Ave.

Downtown E trains will skip 23 St and Spring St.

On the B line, 145 St-bound trains will run local via C the from W 4 St to 59 St-Columbus Circle, but only between 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. on Friday night, for track maintenance.

Bronx-bound D trains run local via the C line from W 4 St to 145 St; trains will not stop at 34 St-Herald Sq, 42 St-Bryant Pk, 47-50 Sts and 7 Ave. Bronx-bound trains will also skip 182-183 Sts.

On the F line in Queens, trains will run local in both directions between 71 Ave and 21 St-Queensbridge; give yourself extra travel time. In Brooklyn, there’s no Manhattan-bound service at Avenue U, Avenue P, Avenue N, Bay Pkwy and Avenue I; check the MTA’s page about Culver Line maintenance and service changes for more details.

Also, a note about the F: The New York Transit Museum’s holiday nostalgia train will run on the F line on Sunday, December 9; plan accordingly if you want to check it out.

Let’s get through changes on the M line quickly: There are no trains between Myrtle-Wyckoff Ave and Myrtle Ave (at Broadway); on Saturday and Sunday, service operates between Essex St and Myrtle Av, then via the J to and from Broadway Junction. There are also shuttle buses operating on the M schedule, and the MTA has more details on what all of this entails here. Brooklyn-bound B trains will also skip Hewes St, Lorimer St and Flushing Ave; you can find all your alternate route information here.

On the N line, Brooklyn-bound trains will skip Fort Hamilton Pkwy, 18 Ave, 20 Ave, Kings Hwy, Avenue U and 86 St; they’ll also make local stops at 53 St and 45 St. Plan accordingly—the MTA outlines service changes and alternate routes here. In Queens, the 30 Ave and 36 Ave stations are closed for upgrades (here’s everything you need to know about that), and Brooklyn-bound trains will skip Broadway and 39 Ave. You’ll have to double back from other stations if you want to get out at those.

There’s no J train service between Broad St and Chambers St; use alternate routes (or get out and walk, if possible, since they’re not so far apart from one another). In Queens, Manhattan-bound trains will not stop at 104 St or 121 St; the 111 St station is suggested as an alternative for both. And like the M train, Queens-bound J trains will skip Hewes St, Lorimer St and Flushing Ave; those changes are in effect from 6:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There’ll be a B46 bus via transfer at Marcy Ave or Myrtle Ave that commuters can use.

Phew. For very specific and detailed information on closures, changes, and alternate routes, check out the Weekender microsite.