MTA NYCT prepares for 2nd Avenue opening

In preparation of the 2nd Avenue subway line opening later this year, MTA New York City Transit begins Monday, November 7 to operate W trains weekdays between Astoria-Ditmars Blvd and Whitehall St, making all local stops in Queens and along the Broadway line in Manhattan.

The W line replaces Q service in Astoria and provides local service to the Broadway line in Manhattan. The Q line will serve the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway when the new subway line opens.

To accommodate the addition of the W line, N trains make express stops in Manhattan between Times Sq-42 St and Canal St on weekdays during peak hours, midday and evenings. Q trains make express stops in Manhattan and terminate at 57 St/7 Av until Second Avenue Subway opens. W trains will operate Monday to Friday from approximately 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Second Avenue Subway is expected to alleviate existing crowding conditions on the nearby Lexington Avenue Line, providing relief with an additional subway line to midtown and Lower Manhattan. The cost for these service changes is approximately $13.7 million annually, which has been incorporated into NYC Transit’s approved budget.