Four-month subway shutdown to Far Rockaway begins Friday, affecting thousands of riders

The MTA said A train subway service in the Rockaways will be shut down for four months starting Friday, affecting approximately 9,000 daily riders.

From Jan.17 to May 19, A trains will not operate between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 Street. The Rockaway Park Shuttle will also be suspended between Broad Channel and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 Street, with no service at all on the first weekend of construction.

The planned upgrades, first announced in November, aim to address lingering damage from Superstorm Sandy, which caused extensive harm to the Rockaway Line over a decade ago, officials said. Although emergency repairs restored service seven months after the storm, the MTA said further work was necessary to protect the line against future extreme weather events.

“The viaducts and bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel need major upgrades to help protect the line from future storms,” the agency said in a press release.

To mitigate the inconvenience, the MTA will operate free shuttle buses along the affected lines. The Q97 will provide nonstop service between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue, while the Q109 will run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Beach 67 Street, stopping at Broad Channel and Beach 90 Street.

In addition, the Long Island Rail Road’s Far Rockaway Ticket has been reduced to $2.75 for the duration of the shutdown. Riders were also encouraged to consider existing bus and ferry options to reach the peninsula.

For more information about the service changes, visit the MTA’s website.