NYCT gears up for N line track upgrades

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) this summer will perform major upgrades to the N rail line in Queens' Astoria neighborhood.

As part of the $12.4 million project, crews will replace switches and perform other track work to help increase reliability and reduce delays. The new switches also are expected to reduce noise along the 31st Street corridor, NYCT officials said in a press release.

The agency will replace all switches along a 730-foot span of elevated track south of the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard Station.

To complete the work, the agency will close a portion of the line on eight weekends between May and September. NYCT will provide shuttle buses to replace N service along that segment.

"This critical infrastructure improvement has been long-anticipated," said Costa Constantinides, a New York City Council member. "The MTA's commitment to replace switches, track panels, and steel girders will increase service reliability and will significantly mitigate noise from the overhead structure."