Significant disruptions to service on the 4, 5, and 6 lines due to track replacement work scheduled for two weekends in August
MTA Announces Service Suspensions on 4, 5, and 6 Trains in August
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced that it will suspend service on the 4, 5, and 6 trains south of Grand Central–42nd Street for two full weekends in August 2025. The suspensions, which will take place from August 15 to 18 and August 22 to 25, are part of the MTA's ongoing efforts to maintain the subway's structural integrity and improve its reliability.
The track replacement work involves replacing concrete under switches north of 14th Street on the Lexington Avenue Line to prevent leaks and corrosion, and extend the life of the system's infrastructure.
Alternative Services and Station Closures
During these weekends, the MTA will run alternative services to help bridge the service gaps caused by the suspension south of Grand Central. The 4 train will run local only between Woodlawn (Bronx) and Grand Central–42nd Street, with no service south of Grand Central to Crown Heights–Utica Avenue or New Lots Avenue (Brooklyn). The 5 train will operate only between Eastchester–Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street (Bronx), with no service south of East 180th Street to Bowling Green (Manhattan). The 6 train will run local only between Pelham Bay Park (Bronx) and Grand Central–42nd Street, with no service south of Grand Central to Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall.
All stations south of Grand Central–42nd Street on the 4, 5, and 6 lines will be closed for these weekends, including major stops such as Bryant Park, 33rd Street, 28th Street, Union Square, and Brooklyn Bridge stations on the 6 line; Bowling Green and Wall Street on the 5; and all relevant Brooklyn stops on the 4 train south of Crown Heights–Utica Avenue.
Special Weekend W Service
To help passengers get around during the disruptions, the MTA will run a special W train service on Saturdays (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sundays (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), marking the first weekend operation for this line since March 15, 2025. The 42nd Street Shuttle will also run around the clock both weekends, including overnight.
Impact on Ridership
Subway ridership generally drops on weekends. However, the average daily ridership on the Lexington Avenue Line is about 1.3 million people per weekday, so the suspensions are expected to have a significant impact on commuters. The MTA recommends riders check real-time alerts through mta.info, the MTA app, or text/email updates before travel.
Alternative Transportation Options
In Manhattan, riders can use nearby N, Q, R, W, 2, and 3 stations for service between Grand Central-42 St and Bowling Green, with transfers available at Lexington Avenue-59th Street and Times Square-42nd Street. In Brooklyn, the MTA is encouraging straphangers to use the 2 and 3 lines for alternative service between Borough Hall, Franklin Avenue-Medgar Evers College, and New Lots Avenue, which will be running all weekend, including overnight.
During the closures, the MTA will also use the opportunity to carry out other capital projects along the Lexington line, including accessibility upgrades, communications improvements, under-river tunnel repairs, and continued work on the Borough Hall station rehabilitation.
[1] MTA Press Release [2] Subway Service Advisory [3] MTA Real-Time Alerts [4] MTA App [5] Text/Email Updates
The MTA's track replacement work on the 4, 5, and 6 trains requires alternative services in August 2025, as the 4 train will only operate local between Woodlawn (Bronx) and Grand Central–42nd Street, the 5 train between Eastchester–Dyre Avenue and East 180th Street (Bronx), and the 6 train between Pelham Bay Park (Bronx) and Grand Central–42nd Street. In the finance sector, the MTA recommends riders to check real-time alerts through MTA.info, the MTA app, or text/email updates before travel to navigate the industry-wide service adjustments. Meanwhile, commuters may consider alternative transportation options such as nearby N, Q, R, W, 2, and 3 stations in Manhattan and the 2 and 3 lines in Brooklyn.
