FASTRACK Repairs Coming To Uptown 1 Train, MTA Says

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — The MTA will work overnight to repair and maintain stretches of the Uptown 1 train line this month, but don't count on better elevator service.

An "army of maintenance workers" will be working during overnight hours (10 p.m.-5 a.m.) June 26-30 on the 1 train tracks between the 96 Street and Dyckman Street 1 train stations, the MTA announced Friday. During the repair work 1 train service between the two stations will be suspended, according to the announcement.

"FASTRACK has proven to be a significant driver behind decreasing delays – FASTRACK is effective because it allows us to consolidate maintenance forces in a concentrated area and perform proactive maintenance," Wynton Habersham, senior vice president for the Department of Subways, said in a statement. "Both combine to improve service delivery."

Workers will complete tasks such as replacing of track, third rail, electrical and signal components, debris removal, repairing tunnel infrastructure, painting, platform work and repairing signage, lighting fixtures and ADA components, the MTA announced.

When asked whether the FASTRACK plans include work on elevators at the 168th, 181st and 191st Street stations an MTA spokesman told Patch: "Funds have been included in the 2015-2019 capital program to replace elevators at the 168 st, 181 st, and 191 st stations. We are currently in the process of trying to expedite the start of that work."

Here are some travel alternatives for when 1 train service is suspended during FASTRACK work:

• Transfer between the 1 to/from the Bronx and the A at Dyckman St via free shuttle buses.
• Transfer between the 1 to/from South Ferry and the A at 59 St-Columbus Circle.
• For 1 stations in Washington Heights, Harlem, and the Upper West Side, use nearby A stations along Ft Washington Av, St Nicholas Av, and Central Park West instead, and/or take free shuttle buses available at 1 stations.
• Transfer between free shuttle buses and trains at Dyckman St 1 and A, 168 St A, and 96 St 1.

Free shuttle buses operate on three routes:

• Along Broadway between the 96 St 1 and 168 St A stations, making stops at 103 St, Cathedral Pkwy (110 St), 116 St, 125 St, 137 St, 145 St, and 157 St.
• Along St Nicholas Av between the 168 St Aand the 191 St 1 stations stopping at 181 St.
• Dyckman St loop between 1 and 1 stations.

Photo by Patch