Thursday, January 14, 2016

We'll always have the L train



The MTA is reportedly mulling over plans to repair Sandy-damaged tunnels on the L train between Manhattan and Brooklyn ... including one scenario that shuts them down entirely during the duration of the repairs — roughly three years.

That was one eye-opening takeaway from a report published at Gothamist, who noted that the MTA is also considering keeping one tunnel open during the process.

Richard Barone, the director of transportation programs for the Regional Plan Association, told Gothamist:

"It really depends on how quickly it takes the MTA to get the job done versus the severity of the shutdown. So if they can get it done in a year, but they have to shut both tunnels down, it's one thing. If it takes them three or four years to do it, and they have to alternate shutting down the tunnels, you have to question, which is better? Is it better to get it done faster but with massive disruption? Is it even possible to do that? Is there an another alternative that these folks can take to get to Manhattan for work?"

In the shutdown scenario, Manhattan-bound L trains would terminate at Bedford Avenue, the line's busiest station, per Gothamist. More than 300,000 people take the L on an average weekday.

Thoughts on how a prolonged L train shutdown would impact this neighborhood...?

Previously on EV Grieve:
Is an Avenue A entrance for the L train in our future?

Avenue A L train entrance closer to a reality … some day

City council members talk up new L train entrance coming to Avenue A

17 comments:

Scuba Diva said...

For more and more Manhattanites, the L is the premier way to get into Brooklyn. They're gonna have to have several shuttle buses to pick up the slack.

For my part, I favor shutting it down totally, and reopening faster.

Anonymous said...

Don't fret! There's always CitiBike, a viable mode of transportation...

Hahahaha!!!

Giovanni said...

Based on the construction delays of the 2nd Avenue subway line, we may not see Brooklyn again until 2039.

Anonymous said...

I believe it is during this shutdown the MTA will be building new Avenue A entrance to the L Train
so something good will come out of it

Anonymous said...

Is this officially about the new entrance for 1st avenue or repairs to the tunnel caused by Sandy?
I try never to go to Brooklyn but I can tell you the millions of tourists that go to Williamsburg each year will need to get creative.

nygrump said...

The MTA never provides enough shuttle buses. They seem to provide a single bus to replace an entire train. They never provide enough service. I'm glad Cuomo has his priorities straight: "USB ports on subway trains, buses and in stations to allow customers to charge their mobile devices". He also wants to expand wi-fi, this will ensure terrorists/false flaggers can use cell phones to detonate bombs. Funny how the State seems to determinedly overlook that tactic of the Terrorists and help them out.

Anonymous said...

Technology improvements should definitely be curtailed because of the potential threat of terrorism. Hell, all progress should be curtailed because some terrorist could exploit it. We must always live in fear. And complain!

They allow cars onto Manhattan without searching them? That certainly seems like a major security risk. Better search all vehicles coming over the bridges and through the tunnels.

Anonymous said...

I don't care about terrorist benefit from wifi on the subway I just want to order my dinner on Seamless so it's there as soon as I get home.

Anonymous said...

I live in West Williamsburg.

Anonymous said...

The L has been nearly unrideable due to AM crowds from Bk. I wonder if this shutdown will give us a break from the congestion, or will they all crowd into Bedford anyway?

Gojira said...

The L is always unrideble thanks to the crowns pouring in non-stop from Brooklyn, AM, PM, whenever, as well as tourists going out to commune with the local hipsters. There actually used to be a time when you could ride the L into and out of Brooklyn on weekends and off-peak hours and the trains were almost empty. Now it's a nonstop fiesta. 'ey!

Gojira said...

Unrideable. Missed the 'a'. Sorry!

Anonymous said...

It would be nice if they kept it running between 1st and 8th Aves.

Anonymous said...

Who needs the L train or the subways or the buses for that matter, when you have the blessed and sacred CitiBikes!?

Anonymous said...

Citibikes are neither blessed nor sacred, but they're a great form of transportation.

Anonymous said...

25 yrs ago, L Trains were mostly deserted at all times. Waits could be endless.
They should keep it open inside Manhattan like 42 St Shuttle. It should run from 10th Ave to Ave B (not Ave A stop which is too close to 1st Ave stop; redundant) and the 3rd Av stop eliminated. Even w. greatly crowded cars and NYU expansion? Third Ave stop still has very few riders getting on or off - at any hour, esp rush hours. Its too close to Union Sq which is where 98% riders exit.
Stopping every block is NOT helpful. Do city planners making these changes ever actually ride these lines themselves to witness traffic patterns???

Anonymous said...

Citibikerss are blessed and sacred, and Citibikes are a great form of transportation from for the wealthy transients and tourists.