Big upgrades are coming to subway riders in Brooklyn.
A and C services will undergo renovations in Brooklyn in Queens in what is the largest signal and track replacement project in the history of the MTA, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor.
The $1.9 billion investment will be funded through the controversial congestion pricing program, which began in New York City in January of 2025.
The project spans 23 track miles along the Fulton and Liberty lines and replaces the oldest remaining subway tracks. The work will span from High St. to Ozone Park–Lefferts Blvd. A train station, covering 23 stations which serve 350,000 riders weekly.
“Upgrading nearly 100-year-old signals does more than just modernize infrastructure that is long-overdue,” said New York State Governor Kathy Hochul. “It is a critical part of our plan to run better and more frequent subway service, shortening waits and slashing delays.”
According to MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber, signal issues are the biggest cause of subway delays in the city. This is “no surprise,” Lieber said, “considering the ancient relics we’ve been using to direct train traffic.”
Much of the systems in place today rely on equipment with components that are no longer commercially manufactured.
The money will be used to replace signals from the 1930s-era with Communications-Based Train Control, which uses wireless connectivity to keep trains in constant contract with a centralized system, allowing for faster and more frequent train service.
Currently, Communications-Based Train Control operates across the full 7 and L train lines, as well as portions of the E, F, M and R routes. Since modernization, on-time performance on the 7 line jumped from 68 percent to 91 percent.
“Communication-based train control has proven to improve service for riders with faster, smoother and more reliable trips,” said Demetrius Crichlow, NYC Transit president. “I’m thrilled that A and C riders can look forward to experiencing a modern system that they can rely on for decades to come.”
The first phase of the project will replace switches and hundreds of feet of specialized track between 104 St. and 99 St. in Queens.
Completion of the project is expended in the second quarter of 2032.
