MTA Plans F Train Tunnel Work With Late Night, Weekend Closures

NEW YORK CITY — A planned F train subway tunnel project won't require full closures, although riders shouldn't expect many late night trips.

MTA officials on Monday announced work on F line's Rutgers Tube — the last subway tunnel running under water that needs to be rebuilt after Superstorm Sandy — likely will begin in August.

The project under the East River between Brooklyn's York Street and East Broadway in Manhattan will follow a schedule familiar to riders on the L train — another line that required tunnel work.

The F tunnel work will be done overnight and on weekends, which will keep the line fully open during the day.

"Once complete, we will have rehabilitated every tunnel damaged during Sandy, further fortifying the system against future natural disasters," said Sarah Feinberg, interim president of MTA New York City Transit, in a statement. "We're working to make sure this work leads to as few disruptions as possible for our customers and look forward to getting this vital project underway in the weeks ahead."

The plan's final approval falls to the MTA board on Wednesday, according to a release. If approved, prep work will begin in August.

Major work will begin in September on the line's Rutgers Tube and continue through the spring, officials said.

Workers will replace tracks, signal equipment, various cables and place pump controls outside the tunnel's flood zone, according to a release.

The planned schedule, which initially will overlap with 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. coronavirus cleaning closures, includes rerouting F trains over the C line between Jay St-MetroTech and West Fourth Street, and via the Eline from West Fourth Street to 36th Street in Queens, a release states.

E trains will also be rerouted on certain nights and weekends over the F line between 36th Street in Queens and Delancey Street in Manhattan. Officials also anticipate overnight and weekend closures for the East Broadway and York Street stations, a release states.

MTA will provide further service details and dates as they are finalized.