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No 7 line subway service between the Times Square-42nd Street and Queensboro Plaza stations from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011 to 5 a.m. on Monday, August 1, 2011

Long Island City, New York July 26, 2011 - The MTA has sent through an advisory that there will be diversion affecting 7 line service on the July 30-August 1, 2011 weekend. As we communicated to you via e-mail on May 16th and June 17th, this upcoming service diversion, along with the ones that occurred on the May 21-23 and June 25-26 weekends, are necessary to address critical infrastructure issues in the Steinway Tunnel, which the 7 line uses to run between Queens and Manhattan. As you know, we have had significant problems in providing an adequate level of service on the 7 line in recent months due to these issues. Our repair work is focused on correcting the following problems that have affected service reliability: § Signal circuits in the tunnel requiring repairs. § Water intrusion in the tunnel. § Electrical power system problems. § Structural defects in the tunnel that require repairs. The completion of the short-term work on the July 30-August 1 weekend will provide near-term relief to our customers. In order to carry out the needed work: There will be no 7 line subway service between the Times Square-42nd Street and Queensboro Plaza stations from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011 to 5 a.m. on Monday, August 1, 2011. A special fare-free shuttle bus service will operate between the Vernon-Jackson and Queensboro Plaza Stations while the service diversion is in effect. We will provide increased Astoria line service between Queens and Manhattan on this weekend. Additionally, we are reminding our customers that they can ride the E line to reach Court Square and Queens Plaza. In addition, New York Waterways is now providing ferry service to Midtown and Lower Manhattan from Hunters Point South. Information on this service is available from their website: http://www.nywaterway.com/RoutesSchedules.aspx Normal 7 line service will be provided at all other times. A list containing the shuttle bus stop locations to be utilized during the weekend service diversions is attached. Additional 7 line service diversions to facilitate long-term projects in the Steinway Tunnel are planned for Fall 2011. The diversions will facilitate some of the work needed to install the modern Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system on the 7 line. CBTC will further improve reliability, reduce maintenance and operations cost, increase line capacity and operational flexibility, enhance system safety and provide central control from the Rail Control Center. More maintenance work in the Steinway Tunnel and station renewal work at the Hunters Point Avenue Station will also be carried out. We will keep our customers and the area elected officials, Community Boards and civic and business groups aware of our progress and all upcoming work. MTA New York City Transit has posted notices in the subway system informing customers of the temporary service change. In addition, brochures explaining this work and the alternate services are available in the subway system to our customers. We’d be happy to provide these brochures to you in bulk upon request. We will also make announcements on trains and in subway stations. NYC Transit personnel will be on hand at all affected stations and along the substitute shuttle bus routes in order to assist customers with any questions they may have. Notices about the diversions will also be posted on the service advisory page of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s website, http://travel.mtanyct.info/serviceadvisory. We appreciate your community’s patience and understanding while we carry out this important work. If you have questions or need any additional information concerning this matter, please feel free to contact me at 646-252-2653.   Copy of EMAIL Sent to MTA July 26, 2011: Joseph B. Raskin Assistant Director Government and Community Relations MTA New York City Transit 2 Broadway Room D17.110 New York, NY 10004 Phone: 646-252-2653 Fax: 646-252-2662 joseph.raskin@nyct.com Dear Joe, I have an idea. I am wondering if the interruption of service on the 7 Line this weekend presents an opportunity for the MTA to do something that could be viewed as positive. As you know, the restaurants and other businesses in Long Island City are in a pocket that is severely hurt when the 7 line subway is shut down. Could the MTA Shuttle bus extend its loop down to the new Ferry service at Hunters Point South. This would provide a way for visitors and residents to travel to the Jackson Vernon area, and to reduce the negative impact on the businesses in LIC. There are three other reasons for you to consider this. NYC has made an investment and a commitment to the success of the East River Ferry Service, and this would help people experience it. The walk from the Ferry to the Vernon / Jackson stop is not short. I estimate at least 10-15 minutes depending on age, health, and familiarity with the area. It is fairly easy and close for the MTA Shuttle to make this loop down Borden Avenue to the remote 2nd Street location where the Ferry lands in Hunters Point South. I have just posted the information about the interruption on the OurLIC service, and would appreciate your consideration of this proposal. http://www.ourlic.com/cgi-bin/article_main_html.cgi?domain=ourlic.com&gallerysection=community_news&article_id=2011072601&show_edit=yes&number_of_photos_to_display=500 Best. Arthur Rosenfield OurLIC 646-920-4652 Visit OurLIC.com - Everything Important; Everyone Important; Every Day   Joseph B. Raskin Assistant Director Government and Community Relations MTA New York City Transit 2 Broadway     Room D17.110 New York, NY  10004 Phone: 646-252-2653     Fax: 646-252-2662 joseph.raskin@nyct.com

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