UWS Subway Lines Will See Month-Long Service Changes, MTA Says

UPPPER WEST SIDE, NY — An early summer subway snarl could be awaiting Upper West Side straphangers.

Two train lines will see service cuts starting this week and lasting until the end of June, MTA officials warned.

Transit officials announced that all downtown 1 trains and overnight local 2 trains will be bypassing the 86th Street station, located at the intersection of West 86th Street and Broadway, until the end of the month.

Typically, this station is served by the 1 train at all times and the 2 train during late nights.

The change in service will give the MTA time to perform necessary structural maintenance projects within the station.

For commuters who rely on 86th Street as their home station, MTA officials advise taking the 1, 2, or 3 train to 72nd Street, then transferring to the uptown 1 or local 2 to reach 86th Street.

MTA officials did not specify what structural maintenance needed to be completed within the station.

Earlier this year, the MTA announced plans for two major ADA accessibility construction projects at the 81st Street-Museum of Natural History B and C station, as well as the 96th Street A, B, and C station.

Both projects will involve temporary closures of station entrances, construction during specific hours and rerouting of traffic in the surrounding areas. The current plans include the installation of two brand-new three-stop elevators, track replacements, new staircases and improved lighting.

These projects are expected to commence later this summer and are currently scheduled to conclude in 2026.

Representatives from the MTA addressed Community Board 7 last month, providing additional details about the plan.