The MTA is looking at plans to bring back the W line subway that runs from Astoria to Whitehall Street, which was shut down in 2010 after the agency had a deficit of $1.2 billion.
A public hearing will be held on the subject in the spring, and if all goes well, the W line could be up and running again in the fall.
“The [W] line would effectively replace Q service in Queens,” the MTA said. This would open up the Q line to serve the Second Avenue Subway between 63rd and 96th streets.
The MTA provided a full list of the expected service changes.
- N Line: Service in Queens and Brooklyn remains the same, but trains operate express in Manhattan on weekdays during peak hours, midday and evenings.
- Q Line: Northern terminal temporarily changed to 57 St/7 Ave until the Second Avenue Subway opens. At that point, trains will operate from 96 St in Manhattan to Coney Island-Stillwell Av in Brooklyn, stopping at: 86 St, 72 St, Lexington Av/63 St, 57 St/7 Av and all express stops on the Broadway Line in Manhattan. During late nights, the Q will run local between Brooklyn and Manhattan via the Manhattan Bridge. Service in Brooklyn remains the same.
- R Line: No service changes.
- W Line: Restoration of weekday service, making all local stops from Astoria-Ditmars Blvd to Whitehall St via the Broadway Line. No service on weekends or late night.
The budget for these changes, $13.7 million, has already been approved.
