A busier-than-usual Saturday on the rails. The MTA has track replacement work on the A and C in East New York, late-night electrical work knocking out R service through the Montague Tube, and a handful of express-pattern shuffles in Brooklyn. The biggest wildcard isn’t even subway — it’s the possible LIRR union strike that could begin as early as today, which would suspend all Long Island Rail Road service and dump commuters onto already-busy E, F, 7, and J/Z lines.
Here’s the no-nonsense rundown of what’s running, what isn’t, and how to get where you’re going.
What Lines Are Affected This Weekend
A and C — East Brooklyn Shutdown
Trains aren’t running between Crown Heights-Utica Av and Euclid Av / Lefferts Blvd / Far Rockaway on the A/C corridor through East New York from 3:30 a.m. Saturday until 10 p.m. Sunday. The MTA is replacing track in this segment. Free B99 shuttle buses are running the full length between Crown Heights-Utica Av and New Lots Av, making all stops. If you’re heading deeper into Queens or the Rockaways, transfer at Euclid Av once service resumes east of the work zone, or use the L from Broadway Junction.
R — Late-Night Montague Tube Suspension
Late-night R trains aren’t running between Whitehall St-South Ferry and 59 St in Brooklyn because of electrical work in the Montague Tube. The N runs local in Manhattan and Brooklyn during this window. If you’re in Bay Ridge or Sunset Park heading to Lower Manhattan after midnight, take the N instead, or transfer at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr.
D, N, Q — Brooklyn Express Pattern Changes
From 11:15 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, Manhattan-bound local trains in Brooklyn are running express from 36 St to Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr, and skipping DeKalb Av. Coney Island-bound trains are running nonstop from 18 Av to Kings Hwy. Riders heading to DeKalb Av should take the B or use the C/G transfer.
F — Jamaica End Skip-Stop
Jamaica-bound F trains aren’t stopping at 169 St this weekend. Use Parsons Blvd or Jamaica-179 St instead — both are short walks.
4 — Woodlawn to Crown Heights All Weekend
The 4 is running its full route between Woodlawn and Crown Heights-Utica Av all weekend, including overnight, instead of cutting back to New Lots. Good news for Bronx-to-Brooklyn riders.
LIRR Strike Watch — This Affects Your Subway Day
Some LIRR unions could strike starting today. As of the MTA’s most recent weekender bulletin, the strike was a live possibility, not confirmed. If LIRR service is suspended, expect heavy crowding on the E and F in Queens, the 7 from Flushing, and the J/Z from Jamaica. Build in extra time. Check the MTA homepage or TrainTime app before heading out.
What’s Running Normally
The 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, B, G, J, M, S (42 St Shuttle), and Z lines are largely on regular weekend schedules. Staten Island Railway is on normal weekend service.
How to Stay Updated
Service changes shift hour by hour, especially when an LIRR strike is in play. The most reliable real-time sources are the MTA TrainTime app, the planned service changes lookup tool at mta.info/alerts, and station agents. Don’t rely on platform PA announcements alone — they often lag the real situation by 10-15 minutes.
Have a safe Saturday out there.
