The MTA announced Jan. 20 that switch replacement and communications-based, train control (CBTC) related work will begin on the A, C and E lines and on the 8th Avenue line during Presidents’ Day weekend, commencing Friday, Feb. 17. This work will include replacement of tracks and switches north of 42 Street / Port Authority Bus Terminal. As a result, there will be changes to the subway service on the A, C, D, E, F and M lines beginning at 9.45 p.m. on Feb. 17 through 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27.

MTA officials said the work, described as critical, is being done over the holiday week to ensure minimal impact to customers. Due to the holiday, service will only be affected on four weekdays, officials said. They added that ridership on Tuesday through Friday that week has historically been 7 percent lower than typical weekday ridership.

Customers are advised of the following service impacts:

Uptown A, C, and E trains will operate normally.

Weekdays [Tuesday, Feb. 21 – Friday, Feb. 24] 

• Downtown C  trains will run express from 145th Street to Canal Street
• Downtown E trains will run on the M line from Fifth Ave/53rd Street to West 4th Street
• Downtown D trains will run local from 145th Street to 59th Street-Columbus Circle
• Select F trains will operate via the E line between Roosevelt Avenue and 47th-50th Streets–Rockefeller Center during *rush hours.

*Brooklyn-bound during morning rush hour, Queens-bound during afternoon rush hour

• M trains will run via the J, Z lines between Delancey Street-Essex Street and Chambers Street
• M trains will terminate at Chambers St; no M service between Essex Street and Forest Hills-71 Avenue
• Downtown A trains will run express from 59th Street–Columbus Circle to Canal Street at all hours, including late nights

Weekends and Presidents’ Day Holiday

• Downtown C trains will run express from 59th Street–Columbus Circle to Canal Street
• Downtown E trains will run on the M line from Fifth Avenue/53rd Street to West 4th Street
• Downtown A trains will run express from 59th Street–Columbus Circle to Canal Street at all hours, including late nights

CBTC Update Video courtesy of MTACD Communications via YouTube

Presidents’ Day Weekend only [9.45 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 – 5 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21]

• F trains will run on the E line between Roosevelt Avenue and Rockefeller Center

Weekend of Feb. 25 – Feb. 27 only [8 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26]

• M trains will run on the F and Q lines between Metropolitan Avenue and 96th Street–Second Avenue.

Additionally, MTA officials advised of the following changes to the D line service in late January.