So you know that whole IKEA thing they’re building in Red Hook much to the chagrin of everyone? It’s not exactly overly accessible, and the MTA wants to fix that.
Red Hook is a great place to visit. You’ve got fantastic views, fantastic key lime pies, fantastic Latin American food and a Fairway.
But the catch is also the charm of the area: It’s hard to get to Red Hook, but it keeps the neighborhood peaceful. The nearest subway stop at Smith and 9th Sts. is a good walk from the Hook. To reach the Hook, visitors either must drive or take the B61 or B77 stops from elsewhere in Brooklyn.
But the MTA is going to solve this transportation problem for IKEA-bound folks. Beginning in January, the B61 and B77 will stop right outside of the IKEA, The Brooklyn Paper reports. For those shopping for furniture, this is great news. Those living in the area are none-too-thrilled as it is but could use the enhanced transportation options. So with a shuttle IKEA plans to run from subway stops in downtown Brooklyn and the bus line extensions, hopefully, fewer people will drive to the store.
Now on to the weekend service alerts. You can, always, get them here, but the ones on the MTA’s site are disastrously confusing this week. I’ll attempt to clarify. Pay careful attention to what’s happening with the E train.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 1, there are no 1 trains between 14th Street and South Ferry. Customers may take the 2 or 3 between 14th Street and Chambers Street. There are free shuttle buses operating between Chambers Street and South Ferry. This is due to Port Authority underpinning work at the WTC site for the new PATH station.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 1, 2 and 3 trains run local between 96th Street and Chambers Street due to Port Authority underpinning work at the WTC site for the new PATH station.
From 6 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 9 p.m. Sunday, September 30, Bronx-bound 2 and 5 trains run express from 3rd Avenue to East 180th Street due to work on the third rail between Jackson Avenue and West Farms Square-East Tremont Avenue stations.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 1, Bronx-bound 4 trains run express from 125th Street to Burnside Avenue due to track concrete pour north of the 149th Street -Grand Concourse station.
At all times through mid-November, Manhattan-bound 4 trains skip Mosholu Parkway due to station rehabilitation.
From 4 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 10 p.m. Sunday, September 30, Bronx-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Avenue to Parkchester due to track panel installation at Whitlock Avenue. (The last stop for some Bronx-bound 6 trains will be 3rd Avenue.)
From 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, Manhattan-bound 7 trains skip 111th, 103rd, 90th, 82nd, 74th and 69th Streets due to rail renewal between Willets Point-Shea Stadium and 69th Street stations.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 1, free shuttle buses and shuttle train service replace the A between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and the Rockaways due to track panel installation south of Howard Beach-JFK Airport station.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 1, free shuttle buses replace A trains between 168th Street and 207th Street via Broadway. The M4 bus provides additional service between 168th and 190th Streets via Ft. Washington Avenue. There is no C train service between 145th Street and 168th Streets. This is due to tunnel rehabilitation between 168th Street and 207th Street stations.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 1, downtown A and C trains skip 50th, 23rd, and Springs Streets due to Chambers Street signal modernization.
From 5 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, E trains run on the F line between Roosevelt and 2nd Avenues due to fan plant rehab.
From midnight to 5 a.m., Saturday, September 29, Sunday, September 30 and Monday, October 1, E trains run on the R line between Queens Plaza and Canal Street due to fan plant rehab.
From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, September 29, there is no G train service between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square due to fan plant rehab. Customers should take the R.
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, September 29 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 1, Manhattan-bound NR trains are rerouted over the Manhattan Bridge from DeKalb Avenue to Canal Street due to tunnel rehabilitation south of Prince Street station.