Today, Governor Kathy Hochul along with MTA leadership heralded the return of A and S train service to the Rockaway Peninsula, as reported by the Governor’s Office. The resumption comes after significant work to improve the line’s resilience against extreme weather, which includes a total rebuild of Hammels Wye and upgrades to the South Channel Bridge, aimed at better serving the nearly 12,500 daily riders and residents of Rockaways.
The MTA’s project not only faced the winter’s challenges but also kept to the schedule and budget, a feat no less than noteworthy; after 17 grueling weeks of 20-hour days carried out by 200 workers, the intricate work on both weekdays and weekends intended to enhance the A line’s reliability now rings complete—a promise delivered as stated by Governor Hochul, “That’s why we made a promise to this community that we would get the A train back in service by Memorial Day. Today, we deliver on that promise, bringing reliable service to the A line that riders will be able to count on for decades,” echoed in an announcement made through the Governor’s Office.
Further enhancements to the A line are still on the horizon, with additional signal and track work slated for completion by late 2026. The upgrades are not merely cosmetic, they are vital, fortifying the line’s capacity to withstand future climate challenges by incorporating wave barriers and reinforcing embankments to mitigate against storms and coastal surges. As the Rockaways still bear the scars of Superstorm Sandy, these improvements are critical, as “The A train is a key artery of New York City, stretching all the way from Inwood to the ocean,” Governor Hochul reminded us, emphasizing the line’s role as a lifeline for the community…