Service Advisories

The MTA is scrambling to restore 1 train service in northern Manhattan following a ceiling collapse at the W. 181st St. station.

According to reports, a 20- to 30-foot section of the ceiling as well as part of an old arch fell onto the tracks at around 11 p.m. last night. While no one was hurt, the debris damaged the third rail, and 1 train service has been impacted since then.

As of now, there is no 1 train service between 168th St. and Dyckman St. Trains are running in two sections between South Ferry and 168th St. and between Dyckman St. and 242nd St. in the Bronx. Shuttle buses are providing service between 168th and Dyckman Sts.

Right now, the MTA has no timetable for a complete restoration of service, but crews are working to repair the damage. I’ll publish an update when I have one, and in the meantime, keep your eye on the MTA’s service alerts page.

Every week since the beginning of 2007, I have diligently posted the MTA’s numerous weekend service advisories as a public service for my readers. For many, the service changes are obscure and pointless. A track chip-out? No express service down the West Side IRT?

While I was away, amNew York ran a bit on the constant weekend service changes. Let’s take a look:

Even NYC Transit agrees: Weekend subway service is painfully slow. And it might not get better for decades

Less than half of subways are on time on weekends, according to the most recent figures released by transit Monday. The lettered lines were the most delayed, with 59 percent of trains off from the regular schedules, transit statistics from May show…

The MTA’s ambitious maintenance work schedule, which includes dozens of projects to improve the system, is to blame for the ongoing weekend headaches, officials said. In May, transit delayed weekend service 31,000 times for maintenance. Sick customers, in comparison, only caused 94 weekend delays…

This summer, the MTA has also reduced the frequency of service on the lettered lines by 25 percent, with trains now scheduled to arrive every 10 minutes on weekends. It made the same switch on the numbered lines last year to align service with what it could provide given all the maintenance, officials said…Workers are also ripping up track for longer hours. Recently, it scheduled two major maintenance crews to work 12-hour shifts. The push will help workers get jobs done more efficiently, transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges said.

But officials admitted that the aging system will force them to mix up weekend service for decades to come. More than a third of the system’s signals are 50 years and older, which is well-beyond retirement age, according to transit’s head of engineering. The only option to working on weekends would be to shut down the subways for evening maintenance, which officials don’t plan on doing, NYC Transit President Howard Roberts told the MTA board.

It’s all about the state of good repair. While I too bemoan the weekend service changes, if that’s the price we have to be for a system that runs pretty well the rest of the time, so be it.

And with that in mind, this weekend’s changes:

From 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, uptown 2 and 3 trains run local from Chambers Street to 34th Street due to survey and preparatory work for an upcoming track project. – Got that? It’s a service change in preparation for future service changes.

From 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday, August 15 and from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, August 16, Brooklyn-bound 2 and 4 trains skip Bergen Street, Grand Army Plaza and Eastern Parkway due to switch work near Eastern Parkway.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Manhattan-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Avenue to 3rd Avenue due to platform edge rehabilitation at Cypress Avenue, East 143rd Street, East 149th Street and Longwood Avenue stations.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Brooklyn-bound A trains run local from 168th Street to West 4th Street, then on the F line to Jay Street, then resumes local A service to Euclid Avenue due to the Chambers Street Signal Modernization Project.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Manhattan-bound A trains run local from Euclid Avenue to 168th Street due to the Chambers Street Signal Modernization Project.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, there are no C trains running due to the Chambers Street Modernization Project. Customers should take the A instead.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, D trains run local between 34th Street and West 4th Street due to a track chip-out in the 53rd Street tunnel.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, E trains are rerouted on the F from Queens to Manhattan. There are no E trains between 34th Street and World Trade Center. Customers should take the A instead. Manhattan-bound E trains run on the F from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to 34th Street-6th Avenue. Queens-bound E trains run on the F from 34th Street-6th Avenue to 47th-50th Sts, then resume normal E service from 5th Avenue to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer. These changes are due to a track chip-out in the 53rd Street tunnel and cable work along the Queens Boulevard line.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, the Manhattan-bound E platforms at Queens Plaza, 23rd Street-Ely Avenue, Lexington Avenue-53rd Street and 5th Avenue stations are closed due to a track chip-out in the 53rd Street tunnel. Customers should take the R, G or 6 at nearby stations. Note: Free shuttle buses are operating between the LIC Court Square G, the 23rd-Ely Avenue E and the 21st Street-Queensbridge F stations.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Queens-bound E trains run express from Queens Plaza to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue due to cable work along the Queens Boulevard line.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Manhattan-bound F trains run on the A line from Jay Street to West 4th Street due to the Broadway-Lafayette to Bleecker Street Transfer construction.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Manhattan-bound F trains run local from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to 21st Street-Queensbridge due to cable work along the Queens Boulevard line.

From midnight to 6:30 a.m. Saturday, August 15 and Sunday August 16, and from midnight to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Queens-bound G trains run express from Queens Plaza to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue due to cable work along the Queens Boulevard line.

From 8:30 p.m. to midnight Friday, August 14 and from 6:30 a.m. to midnight Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, there are no G trains between Forest Hills-71st Street and Court Square. Customers who are Brooklyn-bound should take the R to Queens Plaza and transfer to the shuttle bus to Court Square. Queens-Bound customers should take the E instead. Note: Queens-bound E, G and R trains run express from Queens Plaza to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue. These changes are due to the track chip-out in the 53rd Street tunnel and cable work along the Queens Boulevard line. – Yes, I realize this alert combined with the one above it doesn’t make sense. I have no idea what’s actually happening here.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 17, Manhattan-bound N trains run on the D line from Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue to 36th Street due to track panel installation.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday, August 15, uptown Q trains run local from Canal Street to 34th Street due to track cleaning.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, August 16, uptown Q trains run local from 34th Street to 57th Street-7th Avenue due to track cleaning.

From 6:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, Queens-bound R trains run express from Queens Plaza to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue due to cable work along the Queens Boulevard line.

Sorry for the delay in getting these up. I got back home last night and am attempting to overcome jet lag. The 15-inning Yankees/Red Sox marathon didn’t help.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Bronx-bound 2 trains skip Bronx Park East, Pelham Parkway, Allerton Avenue and Burke Avenue due to signal work at East 180th Street.

From 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday, August 8 and from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, August 9, Brooklyn-bound 2 and 4 trains skip Bergen Street, Grand Army Plaza and Eastern Parkway due to switch work near Eastern Parkway.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Manhattan-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Avenue to 3rd Avenue due to platform edge rehabilitation at Cypress Avenue, East 143rd Street, East 149th Street and Longwood Avenue stations.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday, August 8, Manhattan-bound A trains skip Shepherd Avenue, Van Siclen Avenue and Liberty Avenue due to track cleaning.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, August 9, Manhattan-bound A trains skip Rockaway Avenue and Ralph Avenue due to track cleaning.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Brooklyn-bound D trains skip DeKalb Avenue and run express from Pacific Street to 36th Street due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Manhattan-bound D trains run local from 36th Street to DeKalb Avenue due to a track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Queens-bound E trains run local from Queens Plaza to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to power substation rehab work.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, August 7 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Manhattan-bound E trains run local from Forest Hills-71st Street to Queens Plaza due to power substation rehab work.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, August 7 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Queens-bound F trains run local from 21st Street-Queensbridge to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, August 7 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Manhattan-bound F trains run local from Forest Hills-71st Avenue to 21st Street-Queensbridge due to power substation rehab work.

From 8:30 p.m. Friday, August 7 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, there is no G service between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square. Customers should take the E or R instead.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Manhattan-bound N trains run on the D line from Stillwell Avenue to 36th Street due to track panel installation.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Brooklyn-bound N trains run on the R line from Canal Street to 59th Street-4th Avenue due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Manhattan-bound N trains run on the R line from 36th Street to Canal Street due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Brooklyn-bound Q trains run on the R line from Canal Street to DeKalb Avenue due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Q trains run local between Canal Street and 57th Street due to a track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 10, Coney Island-bound Q trains run express from Prospect Park to Kings Highway, bypassing Newkirk Avenue due to station rehabilitation.

From 5 a.m. to midnight Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, there are no R trains between Forest Hills-71st Street and 36th Street (Brooklyn) due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue. The EFNQ trains provide alternate service.

Live from Israel where even in the small city of Haifa they have physically separated bus lanes, it’s the weekend service advisories. These are directly cut-and-pasted from the MTA’s email. Be sure to verify all changes before heading underground.

24
From 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday, August 1, from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, August 2 and from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Manhattan-bound 24 trains skip Eastern Parkway, Grand Army Plaza and Bergen Street due to switch work near Eastern Parkway.

2
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Manhattan-bound 2 trains run express from Gun Hill Road 2 to East 180th Street due to structural steel repairs between East 180th Street and Dyre Avenue.

4
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, uptown 4 trains run express from Brooklyn Bridge to 14th Street due to construction of the Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer.

6
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, uptown 6 trains run express from Brooklyn Bridge to 14th Street due to construction of the Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer.

6
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Manhattan-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Avenue to 3rd Avenue due to platform edge rehabilitation at Cypress Avenue, East 143rd Street, East 149th Street and Longwood Avenue stations.

A
From 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, free shuttle buses replace A trains between 80th Street and Lefferts Boulevard due to switch work and rail repairs near Rockaway Boulevard.
Trains to the Rockaways skip 88th Street and Rockaway Blvd. Trains to Manhattan make station stops at Rockaway Blvd. and 88th Street.

C
From12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, downtown C trains run express from 145th Street to Canal Street due to fan plant rehabilitation near 7th Avenue in Manhattan.

D
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Brooklyn-bound D trains skip DeKalb Avenue and run express from Pacific Street to 36th Street due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

D
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, D trains run in two sections due to fan plant rehabilitation near 7th Avenue in Manhattan.
• Between 205th Street and the Lower East Side-2nd Avenue F station and
• Between West 4th Street and Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue
Customers continuing their trip may transfer across the platform at Broadway-Lafayette.

D
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, downtown D trains run local on the A line from 145th Street to West 4th Street due to fan plant rehabilitation near 7th Avenue in Manhattan.

D
From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Manhattan-bound D trains run local from 36th Street to DeKalb Avenue due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.

EF
From 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 31 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Manhattan-bound EF trains run local from Forest Hills-71st Avenue to Queens Plaza and 21st Street-Queensbridge, respectively, due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.

EF
From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Jamaica-bound EF trains run local from Queens Plaza and 21st Street-Queensbridge, respectively, to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.

G
From 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 31 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, there is no G
service between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square. Customers should take the E or R instead.

J
From 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday, August 1, J trains run in two sections due to track cleaning:
• Between Jamaica Center-Parsons Archer and Essex Street and
• Between Essex Street and Chambers Street

L
From 4:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday, August 2, there are no L trains between Broadway Junction and Rockaway Parkway due to switch renewal north of Atlantic Avenue. Free shuttle buses provide alternate service.

N
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Manhattan-bound N trains run express on the D line from Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue to 36th Street due to track panel installation.

N
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, N trains run local on the R line between Canal Street and 36th Street due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.

N
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Coney Island-bound N trains run local from 36th to 59th Streets due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.

Q
At all times until December 2009, the Coney Island-bound side of the Avenue U and Neck Road stations are closed for rehabilitation. Customers should use Kings Highway BQ, Sheepshead Bay BQ, or Avenue U F stations as alternatives.

Q
From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Brooklyn-bound Q trains run on the R line from Canal Street to DeKalb Avenue due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

Q
From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to 5 a.m. Monday, August 3, Q trains run local between 57th Street-7th Avenue and Canal Street due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.

R
From 5 a.m. to midnight Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, there are no R trains between Forest Hills-71st Street and 36th Street (Brooklyn) due to power cable work north of Roosevelt Avenue.
The EFNQ trains provide alternate service.

S
From 6:30 a.m. Saturday, August 1 to7 p.m. Sunday, August 2, there are no shuttle trains between Franklin Avenue and Prospect Park due to cable and conduit work.
Free shuttle buses provide alternate service.

We start off our weekly jaunt through the service advisories with a news stories about a semi-permanent service change along my subway line — the B — in Brooklyn.

A long time ago, back in December of 2007, I warned of the MTA’s plans to renovate seven stations along the BMT Brighton Line. At the time, the MTA unveiled timelines and the corresponding service changes for only the Ave. U and Neck Road rehabs.

Now, we find out that the other five stations in line for overhauls will see their projects start in September. As such, the B will no longer run express through Brooklyn. Heather Haddon reports:

Express service on the B line will be eliminated north of King Highway for two years beginning September in order for the MTA to work on overhauling five stations that have been neglected for decades, transit officials said. Local trains will run on express tracks but will not skip the six stops the express currently bypasses.

Running the trains local will add up to seven minutes to straphangers’ commutes and cost the MTA $960,000 for the additional local service, according to transit documents. “It’s never a good time for this,” said Doris Ortiz, district manager for Community Board 14 in Brooklyn. “It’s an inconvenience, but it’s worth it.”

The Avenue H and Avenue M stations also will be closed on alternating sides during the two years, and riders will have to take shuttle buses on weekends during part of the work.

Since I get on at Seventh Ave., I won’t be too impacted by the change. My B train in the morning can’t really be more crowded than it already is. For those who rely on the B for a speedy ride home though, this is dismaying news.

Now, onto the weekend changes. As always, these are coming to us from the MTA and are subject to change without notice. Pay attention to the signs in the stations as you travel and be sure to listen for on-board announcements.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, there are no 2/4 trains at Bergen Street, Grand Army Plaza, and Eastern Parkway due to switch work near Eastern Parkway. Free shuttle buses provide alternate service. Customers may transfer between the shuttle bus and 2/3/4 trains at Atlantic Avenue or Franklin Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Manhattan-bound 2 trains run express from Gun Hill Road 2 to East 180th Street due to structural steel repairs between East 180th Street and Dyre Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, uptown 4 trains run express from Brooklyn Bridge to 14th Street due to construction of the Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, the last stop for some Brooklyn-bound 4 trains is Bowling Green due to structural steel repairs between East 180th Street and Dyre Avenue.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, there are no 5 trains running due to structural steel repairs between East 180th Street and Dyre Avenue. The 2/4 and free shuttle buses provide alternate service.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, uptown 6 trains run express from Brooklyn Bridge to 14th Street due to construction of the Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Manhattan-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Avenue to 3rd Avenue due to platform edge rehabilitation at Cypress Avenue, East 143rd Street, East 149th Street and Longwood Avenue stations.

From 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 25 and from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 26, Manhattan-bound 7 trains skip 111th, 103rd, 90th, and 82nd Streets due to station painting at Junction Boulevard.

From 5 a.m. to 12 noon, Sunday, July 26, there are no 7 trains between Times Square and Queensboro Plaza due to rail replacement at 45th Road-Court House Square. The N and free shuttle buses provide alternate service.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, there is no C service due to Jay Street station rehabilitation and construction of the underground connector. A trains replace the C making local stops between 168th Street and Jay Street and F trains replace the C between Jay Street and Euclid Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Brooklyn-bound D trains skip DeKalb Avenue and run express from Pacific Street to 36th Street due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 24 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Manhattan-bound E/F trains run local from Forest Hills-71st Avenue to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Jamaica-bound E/F trains run local from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, F trains run between Jamaica-179th Street and the Euclid Avenue C station. G trains replace the F between Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts. and Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue due to Jay Street station rehabilitation and construction of the underground connector. (From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, G trains are extended to the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue F station.)

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, there is no G train service between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square. Customers should take the E or R instead.

From 4:30 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 26, there are no L trains between Broadway Junction and Rockaway Parkway due to switch renewal north of Atlantic Avenue. Free shuttle buses provide alternate service.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Brooklyn-bound N/Q trains run on the R line from Canal Street to DeKalb Avenue due to a track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, N trains run local between 59th Street-4th Avenue and Pacific Street due to a track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue station.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Coney Island-bound Q trains skip Newkirk Avenue due to station rehabilitation.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 25 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 27, Coney Island-bound Q trains run express from Prospect Park to Kings Highway due to Brighton Line station rehabilitation.

This video may just push me to get an iPhone. It’s a video of a yet-to-be-approved iPhone app that calculates a user’s location and shows the nearest subway stations. It will be available from acrossair as soon as Apple approves it, and you can drool over it find out more information right here.

On that brief note, the weekend service advisories. Remember: These are from the MTA and are subject to change without notice. Please check the signs in stations as you travel and be sure to listen to on-board announcements.

From 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday, July 18, from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, July 19 and from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Brooklyn-bound 2 and 4 trains skip Bergen Street, Grand Army Plaza and Eastern Parkway due to rail installation and switch renewal.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Manhattan-bound 2 and 5 trains run express from East 180th Street to 3rd Avenue due to signal cable installation south of East 180th Street.

From 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, downtown 4 trains run local from 125th Street to Brooklyn Bridge due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, uptown 4 trains run express from 14th Street to 125th Street due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, there are no 5 trains between Bowling Green and 42nd Street-Grand Central due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction. Customers may take the 4 instead.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, uptown 6 trains run express from Brooklyn Bridge to 14th Street due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Manhattan-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Avenue to 3rd Avenue due to platform edge rehabilitation at Cypress Avenue, East 143rd Street, East 149th Street and Longwood Avenue stations.

From 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19, free shuttle buses and shuttle train service replace the A between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and the Rockaways due to rail work on South Channel Bridge.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, there is no C service due to Jay Street station rehabilitation and construction of the underground connector. A trains replace the C making local stops between 168th Street and Jay Street and F trains replace the C between Jay Street and Euclid Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Coney Island-bound D trains run on the N line from 36th Street to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue due to repair of retaining wall and viaduct at the Coney Island Yard.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Brooklyn-bound D trains skip DeKalb Avenue and run express from Pacific Street to 36th Street due to track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 17 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Manhattan-bound EF trains run local from Forest Hills-71st Avenue to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Jamaica-bound EF trains run local from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Queens-bound E trains run express from Queens Plaza to Jackson-Heights Roosevelt Avenue due to rail work north of Queens Plaza.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, F trains run on the G line from Jay Street to Euclid Avenue and G trains replace the F from Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts. to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue due to Jay Street station rehabilitation and construction of underground connector.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, there is no G train service between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square. Customers should take the E or R instead.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, N trains run local between 59th Street-4th Avenue and Pacific Street due to a track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue station.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Brooklyn-bound N and Q trains run on the R line from Canal Street to DeKalb Avenue due to a track chip-out at DeKalb Avenue.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 18 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 20, Queens-bound R trains run express form Queens Plaza to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue due to rail work north of Queens Plaza.

We close out the week with the last of the fare hikes for now. As the MTA reminded us last week, at 3 a.m. on Sunday morning, the new toll rates on the MTA Bridges and Tunnels crossings go into effect. Check out the press release for the specifics; it’s far too complicated to reproduce here on a summer Friday afternoon.

As a companion piece to the toll increases, Gridlock Sam chimes in with his take on the East River bridge tolls. His idea actually makes sense. He urges the MTA to lower the rates on the currently-tolled bridges and tunnels while implementing tolls on the currently-free crossings.

After rehashing the problems of the current system, Sam offers up an obvious solution:

So how can we be fair to travel between the boroughs and still raise enough money for transit? First, reduce the tolls at every bridge that has nothing to do with Manhattan. Slash the tolls by $1 from today’s levels at the Whitestone, Throgs Neck, Triborough (Bronx-Queens plaza), Cross Bay and Marine Parkway bridges – and by $2 at the Verrazano Bridge. Freeze these rates by law for a full 10 years.

Next, correct Mayor William Gaynor’s 1911 blunder. The Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Queensboro and Manhattan bridges all had tolls until 1911. Car drivers paid a dime but those on horseback just 3 cents. Then the mayor removed the tolls. I had to live with this mistake as chief engineer of the Department of Transportation in the 1980s, when our bridges were crumbling from lack of funds. Put them back!

Start charging trucks both ways to cross the Verrazano Bridge to reduce the incentive to travel through Manhattan. It’s easy with E-ZPass. The bottom line? A lot of neighborhoods separated by boroughs would be better linked. Lots of people will save money. And we would also raise about a half-billion dollars per year for bridge maintenance and transit.

To which, I say, “Duh.” One day, someone in New York will have the political will and the political guts to see this through. For now, we stumble on.

Below are your weekend service advisories. As always, these are coming to you verbatim from the MTA and are subject to change with little or no notice. Check signs as you travel and be sure to listen to announcements on board the trains.

From 11:30 P.M. Friday, July 10 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, there are no 1 trains between Van Cortlandt Park-242nd Street and 137th Street-City College due to station painting and flood mitigation work at 157th Street and the installation of communications equipment between 145th and 181st Streets. A trains, the M3 bus and free shuttle buses provide alternate service. The best route to Washington Heights and the Bronx is to transfer between the 1 and A at 59th Street. Then transfer between the A and the shuttle bus at 168th Street or 207th Street. – For more on this service change, check out this press release. It fleshes out what exactly is going on up there.

From 12:01 a.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday, July 11, from 12:01 a.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday, July 12 and from 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, Brooklyn-bound 2 and 4 trains skip Bergen Street, Grand Army Plaza and Eastern Parkway due to rail installation and switch renewal.

From 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, downtown 4 trains run local from 125th Street to Brooklyn Bridge due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, uptown 4 trains run express from Brooklyn Bridge to 14th Street, then local to 125th Street due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, there are no 5 trains between Grand Central and Bowling Green due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction. Customers may take the 4 instead.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, Manhattan-bound 6 trains run express from Hunts Point Avenue to 3rd Avenue due to platform edge rehabilitation at Cypress Avenue, East 143rd Street, East 149th Street and Longwood Avenue stations.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, uptown 6 trains run express from Brooklyn Bridge to 14th Street due to Broadway-Lafayette Street to Bleecker Street transfer construction.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday, July 11, Manhattan-bound D trains skip 174th-175th and 170th Streets due to track cleaning.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 10 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, Manhattan-bound E and F trains run local from Forest Hills-71st Avenue to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, Jamaica-bound E and F trains run local from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

At all times, until further notice, the G route is extended from Smith-9th Sts. to Church Avenue F station due to the rehabilitation of the Culver Viaduct.

From 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 10 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, there is no G train service between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square. Customers should take the E or R instead.

From 11 p.m. Friday, July 10 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, G trains run every 20 minutes between Court Square and Church Avenue due to rail repairs.

From 11:30 p.m. Friday, July 10 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, free shuttle buses replace L trains between Lorimer Street and Myrtle Avenue due to track chip-out at Jefferson Street station.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m., Saturday, July 11, uptown Q trains run local from Canal Street to 34th Street due to track cleaning. – This reminds me of a trip to the dentist.

From 12:01 a.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, July 12, uptown Q trains run local from 42nd Street to 57th Street due to track cleaning.

From 12:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 13, R trains are extended to the 179th Street F station due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

(Franklin Avenue)
From 6:30 a.m. Saturday, July 11 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 12, there are no Franklin Avenue Shuttle trains between Franklin Avenue and Prospect Park due to preparation work for rail repairs. Free shuttle buses provide alternate service.

While the weekend changes due to track work are light, there are a few overall service changes to be aware of this weekend. Trains on Friday and Saturday will run on a Saturday schedule, but on Saturday night, Transit will provide additional service on the 1, C, L and the 42nd Street Shuttle after the fireworks from approximately 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Additionally, the Staten Island Ferry will not run from approximately 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. The last boat will leave the terminals at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the subsequent Staten Island-bound ferry will leave at 10:30 p.m. while the next Manhattan-bound boat won’t depart until 11:30 p.m.

Have a safe weekend. I’ll see you all on Monday.

From 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, July 5, Manhattan-bound 7 trains skip 111th, 103rd, 90th, 82nd, 74th, 69th, 46th, 40th, and 33rd, Streets.

From 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, July 3, and from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, Jul 4 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 6, Jamaica-bound F trains run local from Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to Forest Hills-71st Avenue due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

From 11:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2 to 5 a.m. Friday, July 3, and from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 4 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 6, Manhattan-bound F trains run local from Forest Hills-71st Avenue to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue to due to track and roadbed replacement at Grand Avenue.

Until further notice, the G route is extended from Smith-9th Sts. to Church Avenue F station due to the rehabilitation of the Culver Viaduct.

From 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 6, there is no G train service between Forest Hills-71st Avenue and Court Square. Customers should take the E or R instead.

From 11 p.m. Thursday, July 2 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 6, G trains run every 20 minutes between Court Square and Smith-9th Streets.