By Y.M. Lowy

J and M train riders in Williamsburg will face a series of weekday and weekend service changes in October and November as the MTA replaces aging subway switches at Marcy Avenue.

The switches, which are 29 years old and have reached the end of their useful life, are being replaced to help maintain reliable subway service along the corridor.

On weekdays, October 13–16, October 20–23, November 3–6, November 10–13 and November 17–20, J trains will run locally in both directions between Myrtle Avenue and Marcy Avenue from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

Weekend service will also be affected on October 17–18, October 24–25, November 7–8, November 13–16 and November 20–23. The changes will not affect NYC Marathon weekend, October 31–November 1.

During those weekends, M trains will operate in two separate sections: between Metropolitan Avenue and Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues, and between Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues and Myrtle Avenue/Broadway.

J trains will be partially suspended and will run only between Myrtle Avenue and Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer, with Myrtle Avenue serving as the last stop in the Brooklyn direction. Free shuttle buses will replace J train service between Myrtle Avenue and Delancey Street/Essex Street.