7 train repairs at 52 St and 69 St run five months longer as costs climb to $254 million

Riders who use the 52 St and 69 St stations on the 7 in Woodside, Queens, will keep doubling back for months longer than planned. The platform reconstruction is now expected to finish in March 2027, nearly five months after its previous Oct. 20 target, the New York Post reported Sunday, citing MTA documents.

According to those documents, inspectors found 22 more deteriorated sections of the steel beams holding up the Flushing-bound platforms at the two stations. Fixing them adds $2.8 million to a contract that started at $217 million. Earlier changes had already added $34.5 million, partly for the cost of resequencing the work, bringing the total to about $254.4 million, roughly 17% over the original price, the Post reported. An MTA spokesperson told the paper that crews often can't see how badly steel has deteriorated until they open up the structure.

How to get around the detour

Since May 25, Flushing-bound 7 trains have skipped 52 St and 69 St while the platforms are rebuilt, as amNY reported when the MTA announced the change. The MTA's service notice now says the skip runs through spring 2027. Manhattan-bound trains still stop at both stations.

• Going to 52 St or 69 St from Manhattan: Ride to Woodside-61 St or 74 St-Broadway, then take a Manhattan-bound 7 back one stop.
• Leaving 52 St or 69 St toward Flushing: Take a Manhattan-bound 7 to Woodside-61 St or 46 St-Bliss St, then switch to a Flushing-bound train.
• Nearby stations: 46 St-Bliss St, Woodside-61 St and 74 St-Broadway, where the 7 connects with the E, F, M and R.
• Woodside-61 St: When the long-term change started, the MTA said all trains there would board from the Manhattan-bound platform, and that temporary platforms would be in place at 33 St-Rawson St, 40 St-Lowery St and 46 St-Bliss St, amNY reported.

What riders get at the end

The MTA's 7-line project page says the work at both stations includes new platform edges and ADA-compliant boarding areas, new stairs, new mezzanine floors and platforms to remove uneven surfaces, windscreens, artwork, paint, lighting and CCTV cameras. The page lists 52 St and 69 St among station renewals to be completed in 2027, along with 82 St-Jackson Heights, 111 St and 103 St-Corona Plaza.

This is not the first time steel problems have pushed back the 7-line work. The overhaul was supposed to wrap up in 2025, but the MTA said it found severe, unforeseen deterioration in the steel supports above Roosevelt Avenue, including at Woodside, amNY reported.

Check the MTA app or Planned Service Changes before you ride, since weekend and overnight work along the line can add other changes.