14th Street Tunnel shutdown

Reconstruction of a New York City Subway tunnel January 2019 40.724 -73.967 type:event_dim:5000_region:US-NY title thumb|Tunnels flooded by Hurricane Sandy The 14th Street Tunnel shutdown (also referred to as the L Project, the L train shutdown, or the Canarsie Tunnel reconstruction) was the partial closure and reconstruction of the New York City Subway's 14th Street Tunnel that took place from April 2019 to April 2020. The tunnel carries the BMT Canarsie Line (serving the Canarsie) under the East River in New York City, connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, and is used by an average of 225,000 passengers per weekday. A key segment of the 14th Street Tunnel, between the Bedford Avenue station in Brooklyn and the First Avenue station in Manhattan, would be partially closed for 15 to 20 months to allow for necessary and extensive repairs to the underwater tubes after it was flooded and severely damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Two options were proposed in 2016: a three-year construction period where one tube at a time would be closed or an 18-month closure where both tubes would be worked on simultaneously. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority ultimately chose the 18-month closure option because it would be less disruptive to passenger service. The shutdown period was later reduced to 15 months to reduce service disruption. To accommodate displaced passengers, new or expanded bus, subway, and ferry service was to be added, and a 14th Street busway would have been implemented. The shutdown plan was criticized by riders who use the Canarsie nolink and people living along or near 14th Street in Manhattan, as it would have had adverse effects on other subway routes and on vehicular traffic. In January 2019, it was announced that the shutdown would not be a full-time closure, but a night and weekend closure. Ultimately, the line was not closed; night and weekend service was merely reduced. Background thumb|Damaged tunnels after draining In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused severe damage to New York City, and many subway tunnels were inundated with floodwater. The storm flooded nine of the system's 14 underwater tunnels, many subway lines and yards, and completely destroyed a portion of the Rockaway Line (Rockaway) in Queens, as well as much of the South Ferry terminal at Manhattan's southern tip. The subway opened with limited service two days after the storm and was running at 80 percent capacity within five days; however, some infrastructure needed repairs, which were staggered over several years starting in 2013. A year after the storm, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which operates the New York City Subway, said that Hurricane Sandy "was unprecedented in terms of the amount of damage that we were seeing throughout the system."Boissoneault Lorraine Johnson Bailey October 30, 2013 Superstorm Sandy Anniversary – How the Subway Survived http://www.weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/devastating-effects-water-how-superstorm-sandy-shut-down-subway-swamped-city The Weather Channel November 24, 2015 Reconstruction required many weekend closures on several lines and long-term closures on the Greenpoint Tunnel (Crosstown), Montague Street Tunnel (Fourth Montague header), Rockaway Line, and the South Ferry station. A long-term closure was planned for the 14th Street Tunnel because it was significantly damaged by the storm surge.http://web.mta.info/sandy/nyct_girds.htm mta.info Superstorm Sandy: One Year Later web.mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority July 23, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160803224532/http://web.mta.info/sandy/nyct_girds.htm August 3, 2016 dead mdy-all Moreover, the 14th Street Tunnel dates from 1924;Celebrate Opening of Subway Link https://www.nytimes.com/1924/07/01/archives/celebrate-opening-of-subway-link-civic-and-city-officials-ride-in.html The New York Times July 1, 1924 February 13, 2010 thus its equipment was already 88 years old when Hurricane Sandy occurred.https://www.vice.com/en/article/whats-actually-wrong-with-the-l-train-tunnel/ What's Actually Wrong with the L Train Tunnel? Surico John June 29, 2018 Vice July 1, 2018 Planning Closure options In January 2016, the Canarsie Line between the Bedford Avenue station in Brooklyn and the Eighth Avenue station in Manhattan was proposed for either of two shutdown options. One option involved shuttering the entire segment for eighteen months. The other option would allow the MTA to operate two segments of track for three years: a single-track segment between Bedford and Eighth Avenues with a capacity of 5 trains per hour per direction, and regular service between Lorimer Street and Rockaway Parkway. For both options, the Third Avenue station would be closed and new exits and elevators at the First Avenue and Bedford Avenue stations would be added. The renovations would cost between $800 million and $1 billion;Fitzsimmons Emma G. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/nyregion/shutdown-or-less-service-mta-weighs-2-options-for-l-train-project.html Shutdown or Less Service? M.T.A. Weighs 2 Options for L Train Project May 5, 2016 The New York Times May 7, 2016 0362-4331 July 2018 y, the project budget includes $926 million.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180723_1400_CPOC.pdf Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting July 23, 2018 July 23, 2018 Metropolitan Transportation Authority 12–2113 During the shutdown, workers would replace damaged communications, power and signal wires, third rails and tracks, duct banks, pump rooms, circuit breaker houses, tunnel lighting, concrete lining, and fire protection systems.http://ny.curbed.com/2016/5/6/11606714/mta-ltrain-details-planned-closure-2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20160507132447/http://ny.curbed.com/2016/5/6/11606714/mta-ltrain-details-planned-closure-2019 dead May 7, 2016 MTA Reveals Details on L Train Shutdown at First Public Meeting Warerkar Tanay May 6, 2016 Curbed NY May 7, 2016https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/03/nyregion/mta-l-train-shutdown-15-months.html M.T.A. Shortens L Train Shutdown to 15 Months Fitzsimmons Emma G. April 3, 2017 The New York Times April 4, 2017 0362-4331 Three new electric substations would provide more power to run more trains during rush hours. The closure would affect the 225,000 subway riders per weekday who travel on the 14th Street Tunnel between Brooklyn and Manhattan. This accounts for about 75% of the 300,000 riders per day who use the Canarsie.Everything you need to know about the L train am New York February 21, 2016 https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-facts-and-figures-ridership-wait-times-and-unique-aspects-of-the-nyc-subway-line-1.11451048 October 27, 2018 Community meetings were held to determine which of the two options would be better.https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/nyregion/l-train-riders-weigh-options-for-shutdown-at-transit-meeting.html L Train Riders Quiz Transit Officials on Shutdown Fitzsimmons Emma G. May 5, 2016 The New York Times May 7, 2016 In an internal assessment, the MTA concluded that four out of five L train riders would be less impacted by the full-closure option compared to the partial-closure option.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/notices/pdf/Appendices-Final.pdf MTA New York City Transit Canarsie Tunnel Project Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Review: Appendices New York City Transit Authority July 2018 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority July 27, 201813 Additionally, the single-track option would result in severe overcrowding at First and Bedford Avenues.12 A subsequent poll conducted by transit-advocacy group Riders Alliance revealed that 77 percent of L train riders preferred the 18-month closure option.http://www.amny.com/transit/survey-l-train-riders-prefer-18-month-full-shutdown-option-for-sandy-repairs-1.11832239 Survey: L train riders prefer 18-month full shutdown Barone Vincent May 24, 2016 amny.com AM New York July 26, 2016 In July 2016, it was announced that the MTA had chosen the 18-month full closure option.http://www.mta.info/news-l-line-canarsie-tunnel-reconstruction-sandy-subway-new-york-city-transit/2016/07/25/decision MTA news Decision to Completely Close the Tunnel Follows Months of Community Meetings, Stakeholder and Public Input on Reconstruction Options; MTA Will Develop and Announce Service Plans as 2019 Project Approaches www.mta.info July 26, 2016 January 19, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210119093907/https://www.mta.info/news-l-line-canarsie-tunnel-reconstruction-sandy-subway-new-york-city-transit/2016/07/25/decision deadhttps://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/26/nyregion/l-train-will-shut-down-between-manhattan-and-brooklyn-in-2019-for-18-months.html L Train Will Shut Down From Manhattan to Brooklyn in '19 for 18 Months Fitzsimmons Emma G. July 25, 2016 The New York Times 0362-4331 July 26, 2016Hogan Gwynne Tcholakian Danielle July 25, 2016 https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160725/bushwick/l-train-shutdown-heres-how-commute-between-brooklyn-manhattan The L Train Shutdown: Here's How to Commute Between Brooklyn and Manhattan DNAinfo New York July 26, 2016 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160821134622/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20160725/bushwick/l-train-shutdown-heres-how-commute-between-brooklyn-manhattan August 21, 2016 Riders reacted with both disappointment over the closure, and relief that the service disruption would be shorter.https://nypost.com/2016/07/25/the-l-train-will-shut-down-for-18-months-in-2019/ 2019 is the year Williamsburg dies Furfaro Danielle Gould Jennifer July 25, 2016 New York Post July 26, 2016 The New York Post described the closure with the headline, "2019 is the year Williamsburg dies." thumb|left|upright=1.5|alt=Map of service alternatives during the 14th Street Tunnel shutdown|Map of service alternatives during the 14th Street Tunnel shutdown.13 Colored thick lines represent alternate routes to the L train across the East River and in Manhattan. Solid black lines represent route segments indirectly affected by the implementation of alternate route patterns. Thin gray lines represent route segments unaffected by the shutdown. The segment of the L train that would have remained open is represented by a thick, solid gray line. The segment of the L train that would have been temporarily closed is represented by a thick, dashed gray line. The MTA named Judlau Contracting and TC Electric as the project's contractors on April 3, 2017, at which time the duration of the shutdown was shortened to 15 months. It offered the contractors a $188,000-a-day bonus for completing work up to 60 days early.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/170724_1345_CPOC.pdf Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting July 2017 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority September 15, 2017 September 1, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170901024826/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/170724_1345_CPOC.pdf dead41 as well as a $15 million bonus for completing the project on time; the MTA also stipulated that the companies would need to pay a fine of $410,000 for each day that work is delayed past the 15-month deadline. The joint venture is also responsible for renovating the First Avenue and Bedford Avenue stations during the shutdown,http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/170424_1315_CPOC.pdf Capital Program Oversight Committee Meeting April 2017 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority April 24, 2017 62 October 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181005195730/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/170424_1315_CPOC.pdf dead as well as adding platform screen doors to the Third Avenue station.https://www.amny.com/transit/subway-platform-screen-doors-1.14605599 Platform door pilot heads to L train station Barone Vin October 24, 2017 am New York October 25, 2017 en https://web.archive.org/web/20171025183635/https://www.amny.com/transit/subway-platform-screen-doors-1.14605599 October 25, 2017 deadhttps://nypost.com/2017/10/24/mta-to-test-barrier-to-stop-people-from-falling-on-tracks/ MTA to test barrier to stop people from falling on tracks Furfaro Danielle October 25, 2017 New York Post October 25, 2017 en-US According to a July 2018 report, construction was supposed to be "substantially completed" by November 2020.13 Initial mitigation plans The MTA indicated that during the shutdown, the L route would only have a frequency of ten trains per hour between Bedford Avenue and Rockaway Parkway, because of severely constrained terminal capacity at Bedford Avenue.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/notices/pdf/Canarsie_Env_Assessment_%20FINAL.pdf MTA New York City Transit Canarsie Tunnel Project Supplemental Environmental Assessment and Section 4(f) Review: Final Report New York City Transit Authority July 2018 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority July 27, 201812 In mid-2016, the MTA devised preliminary mitigation plans, which proposed additional shuttle bus, ferry, and subway service. A ferry route between Williamsburg and the East Village of Manhattan would be instituted;http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/brooklyn/looming-train-shutdown-forces-riders-future-article-1.2628841 Looming L train shutdown forces riders to consider future Rivoli Dan May 7, 2016 NY Daily News May 9, 2016 the M14A and M14D buses might be converted to Select Bus Service; and dedicated bus lanes would be placed on crosstown corridors in Manhattan. The MTA would institute two out-of-system subway transfers, free if paid via MetroCard: one between Broadway (Crosstown) and Lorimer Street (Jamaica west local), and one between Livonia Avenue (Canarsie nolink) and Junius Street (New Lots header). In addition, the plan included extending G trains from four cars to eight cars, as well as running the M train to Midtown Manhattan daily, instead of on weekdays only. Preliminary documents also proposed that the four toll-free East River bridges between Manhattan and Long Island (the Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan, and Brooklyn Bridges) might gain a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) restriction of at least three passengers per vehicle during rush hours.http://secondavenuesagas.com/2017/10/24/planning-docs-show-hov3-approach-mitigating-l-train-shutdown/ Planning docs show a HOV3 approach to mitigating the L train shutdown Kabak Benjamin October 24, 2017 Second Ave. Sagas November 2, 2017 en-US In December 2017, the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) released a more concrete mitigation plan, based on projections that 80% of riders would transfer to other subway services to get to Manhattan, while 15% would use buses.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/nyregion/new-york-today-the-plan-for-the-l-train-shutdown.html New York Today: The Plan for the L Train Shutdown Wolfe Jonathan December 14, 2017 The New York Times December 16, 2017 en-US 0362-4331 An HOV restriction on the Williamsburg Bridge during rush hours would allow it to accommodate three Select Bus Service (SBS) routes between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Route L1 would stretch from Union Square, Manhattan, to the Grand Street station in Brooklyn; L2 would connect SoHo, Manhattan to the Grand Street station; and L3 would go from SoHo to Bedford Avenue. In addition, 14th Street between Third and Ninth Avenues would be converted into a bus-only corridor during rush hours to accommodate an SBS route across 14th Street, connecting to a ferry route at Stuyvesant Cove Park near 23rd Street. The mitigation plan also entailed improvements to six subway stations, new entrances at two stations, enlarged crosswalks near these subway stations, longer G and C trains, three free out-of-system transfers,The three free out-of-system transfers would be the aforementioned Broadway/Lorimer Street and Livonia Avenue/Junius Street transfers, as well as a third transfer between 21st Street (Crosstown) and Hunters Point Avenue (Flushing) in Queens. A fourth out-of-system transfer was later added between Broadway and Hewes Street on the Jamaica west nolink.13 increased service on the G, J/Z and M trains, and a weekend extension of the M train to 96th Street and Second Avenue. Finally, the plan included an expansion of New York City's privately operated bike share system, Citi Bike, as well as upgrades to bike lanes on Brooklyn's Grand Street and a pair of crosstown bike lanes on 12th and 13th Streets.http://pix11.com/2017/12/13/l-train-shutdown-to-close-portion-of-14th-street-during-rush-hour-mta/ L train shutdown to close portion of 14th Street to cars during rush hour: MTA December 13, 2017 New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV December 15, 2017 en-US December 14, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171214001418/http://pix11.com/2017/12/13/l-train-shutdown-to-close-portion-of-14th-street-during-rush-hour-mta/ deadhttps://ny.curbed.com/2017/12/13/16774084/l-train-shutdown-mitigation-plan-alternatives-mta-dot-nyc https://web.archive.org/web/20171214040256/https://ny.curbed.com/2017/12/13/16774084/l-train-shutdown-mitigation-plan-alternatives-mta-dot-nyc dead December 14, 2017 Long-awaited L train shutdown plan finally released Walker Ameena December 13, 2017 Curbed NY December 15, 2017https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/13/nyregion/l-train-closing-plan.html Rerouting Thousands: City Plans for L Train Closure Nir Sarah Maslin December 13, 2017 The New York Times December 16, 2017 en-US 0362-4331 Some subway entrances on each of the affected routes would also be reopened.https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-shutdown-brooklyn-stations-1.16198941 Shuttered subway entrances to reopen during L train shutdown Barone Vincent January 16, 2018 am New York January 17, 2018 en On December 14, 2017, members of the New York City Council held a hearing in which they asked the MTA head and NYCDOT Commissioner over the shutdown. The central question was whether the MTA could complete repairs by the July 2020 deadline.Berger Paul December 14, 2017 New York City Council Grills MTA Over Looming Closure of L Subway Line Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-council-grills-mta-over-looming-closure-of-l-subway-line-1513293617 December 15, 2017 December 14, 2017 City Council Committee Holds Hearing On L Train Disruptions CBS Local http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/12/14/l-train-disruptions-city-council-committee-hearing/ December 15, 2017 It was projected that during the shutdown, the 14th Street buses would become the most-used bus corridor in the city, and that 70 buses in each direction would travel across the Williamsburg Bridge every hour. As a result, Lower Manhattan politicians worried that the narrow streets in the area would not be able to accommodate the high-capacity buses.Nir Sarah Maslin With L Train Shutdown a Year Off, Lower Manhattan Braces for Upheaval The New York Times April 3, 2018 https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/03/nyregion/l-train-shutdown-14th-street.html April 14, 2018 Modified mitigation plans +Proposed peak-direction shutdown headways in trains per hour (tph)12–13LineRoutesHeadway beforeshutdown (tph)Headway aftershutdown (tph)BMT Canarsie Line(Bedford Ave to Rockaway Pkwy)nycs L20-10 10BMT Jamaica Line(Marcy Ave to Myrtle Ave)nycs j nycs z1221-2 10+3 24nycs m9+5 14IND Crosstown Line(Court Square to Bedford–Nostrand)nycs g9+6 15IND Crosstown Line(Bedford–Nostrand to Bergen St)+3 12IND Culver Line(Bergen St to Church Ave)nycs f1423 14+3 26nycs g9+3 12IND Queens Boulevard Linelocal tracksnycs m919+3 12Queens-Blvd-Headways The change in Queens Boulevard local headways is only effective during rush hours in the peak direction from Queens (southbound in the morning, northbound in the afternoon). Rush-hour R train frequencies in the peak direction from Brooklyn (northbound in the morning, southbound in the afternoon) are unaffected.13+1 20nycs r10-3 8Queens-Blvd-HeadwaysIND Sixth Avenue Linelocal tracksnycs f1423 14+5 28nycs m9+5 14 In June 2018, as part of a lawsuit settlement, the MTA agreed to install elevators at the Sixth Avenue station and conduct an environmental impact study on the Canarsie Tunnel rehabilitation's effects.Elevators are a win, but L-train shutdown fight still on track The Villager Anderson Lincoln June 21, 2018 http://thevillager.com/2018/06/21/elevators-are-a-win-but-l-train-shutdown-fight-still-on-track/ June 26, 2018 June 27, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005806/http://thevillager.com/2018/06/21/elevators-are-a-win-but-l-train-shutdown-fight-still-on-track/ dead The city also considered turning 14th Street into an exclusive busway 17 hours a day during all days of the week, and changed its initial plans for a two-way bike lane on 13th Street to two separate bike lanes on 12th and 13th Streets.L train shutdown prompts 17-hour-a-day 14th St. busway am New York Barone Vincent June 25, 2018 https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-shutdown-buses-1.19426783 June 26, 2018 When the 14th Street busway was enforced during the shutdown, the only vehicles that would be able to use the busway would be buses, trucks making deliveries on 14th Street, emergency and Access-A-Ride vehicles, and local traffic traveling for no more than one block.63–64 According to Winnie Hu, a transit specialist at The New York Times, the plan was inspired by Toronto's successful King Street Pilot Project, where restriction on ordinary vehicles on a section of previously clogged King Street sped up transit times for riders on the 504 King streetcar route, the Toronto Transit Commission's busiest surface route. The Toronto experiment allowed ordinary vehicles to continue to briefly use King Street, provided they turned off at the next stoplight.https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/08/nyregion/14th-street-busway.html Major Traffic Experiment in N.Y.C.: Cars All but Banned on Major Street Hu Winnie 2019-08-08 The New York Times 2019-08-21 en-US 0362-4331 Separately, the MTA revised contingency plans so that there would be four SBS routes. They included the already-planned L1 Union Square–Grand Street, L2 SoHo–Grand Street, and L3 SoHo–Bedford Avenue routes, as well as a new route L4 between Union Square and Bedford Avenue. The four routes combined would carry 17% of displaced L train riders, while subways would carry another 70% and other transport methods would make up the remaining 13%. Citi Bike announced plans to add 1,250 bikes and 2,500 bike-share docks during the shutdown.https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-shutdown-hearing-1.19455334 4 'L-Alternative' bus routes detailed at City Council hearing Cook Lauren Desai Rajvi June 27, 2018 am New York June 28, 2018 A private company also announced their intention to create a luxury "New L" shuttle van service during the shutdown.https://nypost.com/2018/07/26/this-luxury-alternative-will-make-the-l-train-shutdown-feel-like-a-dream/ This 'luxury' alternative will make the L train shutdown feel like a dream Lapin Tamar Roberts Georgett July 26, 2018 New York Post July 28, 2018 In July 2018, the MTA and NYCDOT announced that the M14 Select Bus Service route would be implemented by January 6, 2019, three months before the tunnel was set to shut down. It would initially run with five stops in each direction between First Avenue/14th Street and 10th Avenue/14th Street. Local service on the M14A and M14D would be retained with minor modifications.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180723_1030_Transit.pdf Transit & Bus Committee Meeting July 23, 2018 Metropolitan Transportation Authority 201–205 July 23, 2018 April 24, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190424014452/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180723_1030_Transit.pdf dead One or two weeks before the tunnel closes, the M14 SBS would be extended to Stuyvesant Cove. The M14A/D local and the M14 SBS would be able to serve a combined 84,000 passengers every hour, with a bus every two minutes during rush hours.39https://www.metro.us/news/local-news/new-york/nyc-launching-m14-sbs-bus-l-train-shutdown City launching M14 SBS bus ahead of L train shutdown Mascali Nikki M. July 24, 2018 Metro US July 25, 2018https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-14th-street-1.20066574 MTA sets rollout date for L train shutdown busway Barone Vincent July 23, 2018 am New York July 25, 2018 Sidewalks on nearby streets would be widened, and temporary pedestrian plazas would be designated, to accommodate the new Select Bus Service routes.33 The MTA also released additional details about headways on affected transit routes. The peak frequency of the G train would be increased from eight trains per hour (TPH) to 15 TPH between Court Square and Bedford–Nostrand Avenues, and from 8 to 12 TPH south of Bedford–Nostrand Avenues. Some G trains would have been extended to 18th Avenue during rush hours due to capacity constraints at Church Avenue. The M train peak frequency would be increased from 9 to 14 TPH between Myrtle Avenue and Manhattan, while the frequency of the J/Z and R trains would be decreased to accommodate the additional M service running on the same tracks. Several other subway routes between Manhattan and Brooklyn or Queens would have additional off-peak service.12–13 For bus route headways, the combined peak frequency of the M14 variants would be increased from 25 buses per hour to 35,13 and the B39 bus across the Williamsburg Bridge would be temporarily suspended because it would completely duplicate the temporary L3 route.46 The L1 through L4 buses would provide a combined 80 buses per hour during peak hours.38 Headways on local bus routes in Brooklyn that would connect with the L shuttle buses, such as the B6 B32 B48 B57 B60 B62 B103 y, would also be increased. The ferry service between Stuyvesant Cove and North 7th Street would run at a frequency of 8 trips per hour in each direction during rush hours.30 7 trains would see increased service during rush hours, with fourteen additional 7 train round trips.293–297 In September 2018, the MTA indicated that the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) had been selected to manage the temporary L shuttle ferry's operation, since the corporation had already operated ferry routes in New York City under the NYC Ferry label. In turn, the NYCEDC was to contract the temporary shuttle ferry's operation out to NY Waterway as per the results of a request for proposals.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180924_1030_Transit.pdf Transit and Bus Committee Meeting - September 2018 September 24, 2018 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority September 23, 2018 September 23, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180923235204/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/180924_1030_Transit.pdf dead261–262 The ferry was to operate for 15 months during the shutdown. The shuttle was to operate every 10 to 15 minutes from 6 a.m. until midnight on weekday nights, and until 2 a.m. on weekend nights. During rush hours, ferries would run every 7½ minutes. Free transfers were to be available between the ferry and two Select Bus Service routes, one on either side of the East River.32Water surprise! New ferry service will offer free bus transfers during L-train shutdown Brooklyn Paper Cuba Julianne February 23, 2018 https://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/41/9/dtg-l-train-ferry-to-manhattan-2018-02-23-bk.html August 3, 2018 The same month, it was announced that an additional bus route, L5, was to operate rush hours between Canarsie Pier and Crown Heights, connecting Canarsie residents to the Crown Heights–Utica Avenue station on the Eastern center. Unlike the other temporary routes, the L5 was not going to be a SBS route, and was only supposed to operate during rush hours every 20 minutes, making limited stops between Canarsie Pier and Utica Avenue.MTA to Bring Additional Temporary Bus Route, Fully ADA Compliant Subway Station to Canarsie MTA.info September 12, 2018 http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-bring-additional-temporary-bus-route-fully-ada-compliant-subway October 4, 2018 October 5, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181005071752/http://www.mta.info/press-release/nyc-transit/mta-bring-additional-temporary-bus-route-fully-ada-compliant-subway dead That October, the MTA clarified its proposed temporary changes to subway service. During weekdays, there would be major increases in the number of G and M train trips; smaller increases in E, F, and J/Z train trips; minor modifications to A and R train trips; and a sharp decrease in L train trips. All of these routes except for the A and R routes would also see modified service frequencies on weekends, and the M would run to 96th Street/Second Avenue during both late nights and weekends.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/181022_1000_Transit.pdf Transit & Bus Committee Meeting October 2018 October 22, 2018 mta.info Metropolitan Transportation Authority October 24, 2018 193 https://web.archive.org/web/20181020140605/http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/pdf/181022_1000_Transit.pdf October 20, 2018 dead It was also announced that the shutdown would start on April 27, 2019.L Train Shutdown to Begin on April 27 Spectrum News NY1 | New York City October 30, 2018 http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2018/10/30/l-train-shutdown-date-for-brooklyn-manhattan-tunnel-set October 31, 2018Mark your calendars: L train shutdown begins April 27 am New York Barone Vincent October 30, 2018 https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-shutdown-date-1.22646108 October 31, 2018 In the months before the long-term closure began, service would be suspended on some weekends and nights.Plitt Amy The L train shutdown finally has a start date Curbed NY October 30, 2018 https://ny.curbed.com/2018/10/30/18043148/nyc-subway-l-train-shutdown-schedule https://web.archive.org/web/20181030212458/https://ny.curbed.com/2018/10/30/18043148/nyc-subway-l-train-shutdown-schedule dead October 30, 2018 October 31, 2018 Temporary L shutdown bus routes The following routes were planned to operate during the shutdown:http://web.mta.info/sandy/pdf/ltunnel-reconstruction-mn-cb2-july2018.pdf (L) Tunnel Reconstruction Metropolitan Transportation Authority July 2018 July 29, 2018 14–19 Route Terminals Streets traveled Notes and history Manhattanor western terminal ↔ Brooklynor eastern terminal Manhattan BrooklynL1Select Bus ServiceGramercy1st Avenue and 15th Street ↔ East WilliamsburgGrand Street and Bushwick Avenueat Grand Street (Canarsie box)1st Avenue (westbound), 2nd Avenue, Houston Street (eastbound), Allen Street, Delancey StreetBorinquen Place, Grand Street Was to operate during rush hours only.L2Select Bus ServiceSoHoLafayette and Houston Streetsat Broadway–Lafayette Street/Bleecker Street (Broadway-Lafayette box) ↔ East WilliamsburgGrand Street and Bushwick Avenueat Grand Street (Canarsie box)Kenmare Street, Lafayette Street (westbound), Houston Street, Bowery (eastbound), Delancey StreetBorinquen Place, Grand Street Was to operate at all times.L3Select Bus ServiceSoHoLafayette and Houston Streetsat Broadway–Lafayette Street/Bleecker Street (Broadway-Lafayette box) ↔ WilliamsburgNorth 5th Street and Bedford Avenueat Bedford Avenue (Canarsie box)Kenmare Street, Lafayette Street (westbound), Houston Street, Bowery (eastbound), Delancey StreetNorth 5th Street, Roebling Street (westbound), Broadway, Berry Street (eastbound) Was to operate at all times except late nights.L4Select Bus ServiceGramercy1st Avenue and 15th Street ↔ WilliamsburgNorth 5th Street and Bedford Avenueat Bedford Avenue (Canarsie box)1st Avenue (westbound), 2nd Avenue, Houston Street (eastbound), Allen Street, Delancey StreetNorth 5th Street, Roebling Street (westbound), Broadway, Berry Street (eastbound) Was to operate at all times except late nights.L5 Limited-stop serviceCrown HeightsUtica Avenue and Eastern Parkwayat Utica Avenue (Eastern center box) ↔ CanarsieRockaway Parkway and Belt ParkwayNoneRockaway Parkway, Remsen Avenue Was to operate during rush hours only.L14Select Bus ServiceMeatpacking District14th Street and 10th Avenue ↔ WilliamsburgNorth 5th Street and Bedford Avenueat Bedford Avenue (Canarsie box)14th Street, Avenue A, Essex Street, Delancey StreetNorth 5th Street, Roebling Street (westbound), Broadway, Berry Street (eastbound) Was to operate late nights only, when the M14 SBS is not operating. Criticism of mitigation plans In April and May 2018, writers for the now-defunct Village Voice had published a comprehensive analysis of the possible effects of the L train shutdown on other subway routes. The J/Z and M train would be affected the most because these would be the only direct subway routes from Williamsburg and Bushwick to Manhattan during the shutdown.Gordon, Aaron How Screwed Will Your Subway Line Be During the L Train Shutdown? J/M/Z Edition Village Voice April 20, 2018 https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-during-the-l-train-shutdown-j-m-z-edition/ https://web.archive.org/web/20240708193617/https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-during-the-l-train-shutdown-j-m-z-edition/ dead July 8, 2024 October 13, 2018 The G train would also carry displaced L train riders from Williamsburg and Bushwick to other subway routes in Downtown Brooklyn and Queens, resulting in capacity decreases on Culver IND north G riders on the IND Culver Line in southern Brooklyn.Gordon, Aaron How Screwed Will Your Subway Line Be by the L Train Shutdown? F/G Edition Village Voice May 10, 2018 https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-f-g-edition/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241119010523/https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-f-g-edition/ dead November 19, 2024 October 13, 2018 The Fulton would carry L train riders transferring at Broadway Junction, which was not originally designed as a transfer station, as well as G riders transferring at Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets, some of whom had already transferred from the L.Gordon, Aaron How Screwed Will Your Subway Line Be by the L Train Shutdown? A/C Edition Village Voice April 26, 2018 https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-a-c-edition/ https://web.archive.org/web/20251021212235/https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-a-c-edition/ dead October 21, 2025 October 13, 2018 G train riders could also transfer to the Queens 53rd or the Flushing at Court Square–23rd Street. As the Flushing nolink would reach capacity during rush hours, some riders already on that route would probably transfer to the Astoria at Queensboro Plaza, one stop east of Court Square.Gordon, Aaron How Screwed Will Your Subway Line Be by the L Train Shutdown? The 7 Edition Village Voice May 3, 2018 https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-the-7-edition/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250126134249/https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-the-7-edition/ dead January 26, 2025 October 13, 2018 The Queens 53rd nolink would also reach capacity during rush hours, bringing cascading effects to riders further east in Queens.Gordon, Aaron How Screwed Will Your Subway Line Be by the L Train Shutdown? E/F/M/R Edition Village Voice May 24, 2018 https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-e-f-m-r-edition/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241213223304/https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-e-f-m-r-edition/ dead December 13, 2024 October 13, 2018 One Voice writer concluded that "If you do not take the J, M, Z, A, C, 7, F, G, E, M, or R lines, then I have some good news: You're probably, probably not screwed during the L train shutdown. Except — you had to know there would be exceptions — for those of you who take the 3 and the N/W." In total, fourteen services would be affected by the shutdown.Gordon, Aaron How Screwed Will Your Subway Line Be by the L Train Shutdown? Everybody Else Edition Village Voice May 31, 2018 https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-everybody-else-edition/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250126111726/https://www.villagevoice.com/how-screwed-will-your-subway-line-be-by-the-l-train-shutdown-everybody-else-edition/ dead January 26, 2025 October 13, 2018 In October 2018, the mitigation plans were described by a Curbed NY writer as inadequate, because of the lack of nearby subway routes that go directly to Manhattan; the lack of passenger capacity at key transfer stations; and the fact that nearly a quarter-million riders use the Canarsie nolink every day. The Curbed writer stated that one service disruption on the Jamaica west nolink would have a ripple effect on displaced Canarsie Tube riders.Gordon Aaron Is the NYC subway ready for the L train shutdown? Curbed NY October 3, 2018 https://ny.curbed.com/2018/10/3/17925038/nyc-subway-l-train-shutdown-mitigation-alternatives https://web.archive.org/web/20181003164909/https://ny.curbed.com/2018/10/3/17925038/nyc-subway-l-train-shutdown-mitigation-alternatives dead October 3, 2018 October 13, 2018 Change in shutdown plans In December 2018, four months before the planned closure of the 14th Street Tunnel, New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he would personally visit the tunnel with several transportation experts that month. Cuomo said that he wanted to determine if the closure time could be reduced even further. By this point, the mitigation plans were being finalized.Rivoli Dan Lovett Kenneth Cuomo to visit L train tunnel to see if 15-month shutdown can be shortened New York Daily News December 10, 2018 https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-pol-cuomo-subway-l-train-20181210-story.html December 11, 2018Cuomo vows to 'personally' vet L train plans am New York Barone Vincent December 10, 2018 https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-shutdown-cuomo-1.24430592 December 11, 2018 Work on painting road markings, including a busway on 14th Street, was underway.https://www.crainsnewyork.com/photo-finish/14th-street-prepares-l-shutdown 14th Street prepares for L shutdown Schifman Gerald December 17, 2018 Crain's New York Business en January 5, 2019 On January 3, 2019, following the tunnel tour, Cuomo announced at a news conference that the tunnels would not completely shut down,https://commercialobserver.com/2019/01/cuomo-cancels-full-l-train-shutdown-in-favor-of-part-time-closures/ Cuomo Cancels Full L Train Shutdown in Favor of Part-Time Closures Baird-Remba Rebecca January 3, 2019 Commercial Observer en January 4, 2019 contingent on the MTA board approving an alternate plan.Fink Zack Cuomo Appears to Backtrack, Says New L Train Plan Needs MTA Board Approval Spectrum News NY1 | New York City January 5, 2019 https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/01/04/l-train-shutdown-cuomo-latest- January 6, 2019 Instead, work would occur on weekends and nights, and construction could be finished in 15 to 20 months.https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuomo-cancels-full-l-train-shutdown-in-new-york-city-11546538264 Cuomo Cancels Full L-Train Shutdown in New York City Berger Paul January 3, 2019 Wall Street Journal January 4, 2019https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/nyregion/l-train-shutdown.html Full Shutdown of L Train to Be Halted by Cuomo Fitzsimmons Emma G. January 3, 2019 The New York Times January 3, 2019 Goldmacher Shane en-US 0362-4331http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Cuomo-L-Train-Shutdown-Work-New-York-503852281.html 'No L-pocalypse': New Plan Avoids Dreaded Subway Shutdown Siff Andrew January 3, 2019 NBC New York January 4, 2019 This would be accomplished by hanging wires onto the sides of the tunnels and repairing the benchwalls alongside each track, similar to what was used in the subway systems of Hong Kong, London, and Riyadh,8 rather than completely replacing the benchwalls as was originally planned.https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/3/18166983/nyc-mta-l-train-shutdown-averted-subway-cuomo New York's plan to avoid the L train shutdown is innovative, high-tech, and untested in the US Hawkins Andrew J. January 3, 2019 The Verge January 4, 2019 A similar plan had been considered in 2014, but rejected due to the extent of silica exposure that this option entailed, and another report in 2015 had concluded that a weekend-only shutdown might be unsafe.Fitzsimmons Emma G. N.Y. Today: New Doubts About That Plan to Save the L Train The New York Times January 15, 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/nyregion/newyorktoday/new-york-news-l-train-sully.html January 15, 2019 en-US 0362-4331 The announcement occurred after Cuomo consulted with experts from Columbia University and Cornell University, and he reportedly also contacted Tesla, Inc.https://www.vice.com/en/article/well-the-l-train-shutdown-isnt-happening-anymore/ Well, the L Train Shutdown Isn't Happening Anymore Surico John January 3, 2019 Vice January 4, 2019 The MTA board was not given advance notice of the announcement,https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/nyregion/l-train-shutdown.html The L Train Shutdown Plan Was 3 Years in the Making. It Unraveled in 3 Weeks. Fitzsimmons Emma G. January 4, 2019 The New York Times January 5, 2019 McKinley Jesse en-US 0362-4331https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2019/01/04/mta-board-member-david-jones-says-board-were-not-told-ahead-of-time-about-cuomo-plan-to-halt-l-train-shutdown MTA Board Member: We Weren't Told About Plan to Halt the L Train Shutdown January 4, 2019 NY1 en January 5, 2019 and Cuomo only told the MTA to convene an emergency meeting after the announcement had been made.https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-l-train-shutdown-cuomo-20190104-story.html Cuomo tells MTA board to hold emergency hearing on new L train plan Rivoli Dan January 4, 2019 New York Daily News January 5, 2019 The announcement was criticized by transit advocates who said that a full closure would allow construction to be completed at once, similar to in the Montague Street Tunnel, as opposed to a piecemeal closure, which could take years.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-03/new-york-city-s-l-train-won-t-shut-down-during-work-cuomo-says New York City's L Train Won't Shut Down for Work, Cuomo Says Goldman Henry January 3, 2019 Bloomberg January 4, 2019 Cuomo was also criticized for taking so long to come up with the partial shutdown plan.https://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/People-are-slamming-New-York-s-governor-for-13506708.php People are slamming New York's governor for taking over 2 years to come up with a plan to avoid shutting down one of NYC's busiest subway lines Matousek Mark January 3, 2019 SFGate January 4, 2019 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20190104123957/https://www.sfgate.com/technology/businessinsider/article/People-are-slamming-New-York-s-governor-for-13506708.php January 4, 2019 Many Brooklyn residents and business owners along the route had already moved as a result of the proposed closure,http://gothamist.com/2019/01/11/williamsburg_business_l_train.php L Train Shutdown Reversal Stings For Small Business Owners Who Gave Up On Williamsburg Kim Elizabeth January 11, 2019 Gothamist January 12, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190111212319/http://gothamist.com/2019/01/11/williamsburg_business_l_train.php January 11, 2019 dead mdy-all and some North Brooklyn landlords reportedly regretted having signed leases for lower prices.They Upended Their Lives to Avoid the L Train Shutdown. Then There Was No Shutdown. The New York Times Gold Michael January 4, 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/nyregion/real-estate-l-train-shutdown.html January 6, 2019 However, the announcement was praised by the shutdown's opponents, which had previously filed a lawsuit over the proposed shutdown.http://thevillager.com/2019/01/03/opponents-rail-ly-happy-as-l-shutdown-is-shot-down/ Opponents 'rail-ly' relieved as L shutdown is shot down Anderson Lincoln January 4, 2019 The Villager January 5, 2019 Landlords and brokers also viewed the change in plans favorably.https://commercialobserver.com/2019/01/landlords-tenants-scramble-for-market-reset-after-l-train-shutdown-reversal/ Tenants Scramble for Market Reset After L Train Shutdown Reversal Baird-Remba Rebecca January 10, 2019 Commercial Observer January 12, 2019 Following the conference, New York City Transit Authority head Andy Byford stated that the Williamsburg Bridge's HOV lanes and the shuttle ferry were no longer needed.https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/03/nyregion/l-train-brooklyn-manhattan-shutdown.html The L Train Shutdown Was Just Canceled. What Exactly Does That Mean? Robbins Liz January 3, 2019 The New York Times January 4, 2019 en-US 0362-4331 The contract with Judlau would also have to be renegotiated and put before the board for a vote, as the contractor had already started the process of procuring materials for a full shutdown.http://gothamist.com/2019/01/03/l_train_shutdown_wait_what.php L'Pocalypse Nah: Cuomo Says Full L Train Shutdown Unnecessary Robbins Christopher Offenhartz Jake January 3, 2019 Gothamist https://web.archive.org/web/20190103203546/http://gothamist.com/2019/01/03/l_train_shutdown_wait_what.php January 3, 2019 dead January 5, 2019 mdy-allBerger Paul After Cuomo Swoops In, MTA Officials Face L Train Deadline Hurdles WSJ January 7, 2019 https://www.wsj.com/articles/after-cuomo-swoops-in-mta-officials-face-l-train-deadline-hurdles-11546901539 January 9, 2019 However, the MTA's website indicated that many of the mitigation measures, including station improvements, accessibility renovations, and L train frequency enhancements, would continue.https://new.mta.info/l-project L Project January 11, 2019 MTA https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202831/https://new.mta.info/l-project January 11, 2019 live January 12, 2019 After the conference, Cuomo also stated that he wanted to "blow up" the MTA and restructure its entire operating hierarchy because the agency was inefficient.Berger Paul Cuomo's Talk of Tearing Up MTA Timed to Upcoming Budget Season WSJ January 8, 2019 https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuomos-talk-of-tearing-up-mta-timed-to-upcoming-budget-season-11546991237 January 9, 2019Lovett Kenneth Rivoli Dan Cuomo wants to 'blow up' the MTA after L train debacle New York Daily News January 8, 2019 https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-metro-cuomo-mta-blow-it-up-20190107-story.html January 9, 2019 A special board meeting about the shutdown was held on January 15, 2019. At the board meeting, the modified plan was approved, despite objections from some members.Forget everything you knew about the L train shutdown am New York Cook Lauren Barone Vincent January 15, 2019 https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-shutdown-explained-1.25469189 January 19, 2019For 250,000 Daily Riders on the L Train, Transportation Purgatory The New York Times Fitzsimmons Emma G. January 18, 2019 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/18/nyregion/l-train-subway-riders.html January 19, 2019 thumb|alt=a bus on the M14D route|Initial contingency plans for the shutdown called for the M14 bus to be converted to Select Bus Service The following month, the MTA decided that several of the previously announced mitigation measures would not be needed. For instance, the Williamsburg Bridge HOV restrictions and the 14th Street busway would not be implemented. In addition, the G would not receive full-length trains, though it would still see an increase in train frequencies during nights and weekends. However, the station improvements would still proceed, and the partial shutdown would begin on April 27, 2019, as previously confirmed. Due to crowding concerns the MTA considered making the First and Third Avenues stations exit-only during weekends.https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2019/02/14/l-train-riders-may-see-less-service-on-nights-and-weekends-for-repairs-partial-shutdown 'L' Train Service May Still be Reduced on Nights and Weekends for Repairs February 14, 2019 Spectrum News NY1 | New York City February 14, 2019http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/MTA-Unveils-Alternative-Service-Plan-for-L-Train-505775611.html MTA Unveils Proposed Alternative Service Plan for L Train Siff Andrew February 13, 2019 NBC New York February 14, 2019 Under the new plan, the free out-of-system transfers would be kept, except for between 21st Street and Hunters Point Avenue in Queens, and would only be instituted during weekends and late nights. Instead of running five shuttle bus routes in Manhattan and Brooklyn at all times, two "Williamsburg Link" shuttle buses, B92 clockwise and B91 counterclockwise, would run during weekends and late nights only. M14A bus service in Manhattan would be increased during weekends.Planned Service Changes During the L project MTA https://new.mta.info/l-project/service-alternatives March 15, 2019 In the months prior to the proposed closure, the MTA suspended L service between Broadway Junction and Eighth Avenue during the weekends in preparation for the partial shutdown. Instead, it operated three shuttle bus routes and expanded M train and M14A bus service.https://new.mta.info/l-project/jan-april-2019-servicechanges L Service Changes: January to April 2019 MTA February 14, 2019 February 14, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190214174350/https://new.mta.info/l-project/jan-april-2019-servicechanges dead In April 2019, it was announced that the 14th Street busway would be added back to the mitigation plan, though the busway would take effect in June. The busway would have the same vehicle restrictions as originally planned.https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-to-ban-private-cars-from-manhattan-corridor-for-l-train-repairs-11556135832 New York City to Ban Private Cars From Manhattan Corridor for L Train Repairs Berger Paul 2019-04-24 Wall Street Journal 2019-04-28 en-US 0099-9660 The M14A/M14D routes would be converted to Select Bus Service, a modification of the temporary Select Bus Service route that had been planned for the full shutdown. NYC Pilot Program Will Limit Cars Along 14th Street NBC New York April 24, 2019 http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NYC-Pilot-Program-Cars-Transit-Bus-Transportation-14th-Street-DOT-509006971.html April 26, 2019Plitt Amy NYC will limit private cars on 14th Street during L train 'slowdown' Curbed NY April 24, 2019 https://ny.curbed.com/2019/4/24/18513755/nyc-14th-street-l-train-shutdown-bike-lane https://web.archive.org/web/20190424155859/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/4/24/18513755/nyc-14th-street-l-train-shutdown-bike-lane dead April 24, 2019 April 26, 2019https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-14th-street-closed-1.30192370 Advocates hail 14th Street plan while locals rail am New York Barone Vincent April 24, 2019 en 2019-04-25 The M14A/D were converted to Select Bus Service routes on July 1, 2019.https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/06/11/commuter-alert-most-of-14th-street-will-be-closed-to-cars-most-of-the-time-starting-july/ Commuter Alert: Most Of 14th Street Will Be Closed To Cars Most Of The Time Starting July 1 June 11, 2019 CBS New York live https://web.archive.org/web/20190611162511/https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/06/11/commuter-alert-most-of-14th-street-will-be-closed-to-cars-most-of-the-time-starting-july/ June 11, 2019 June 11, 2019https://ny.curbed.com/2019/6/11/18661314/dot-mta-nyct-14th-street-busway-starting-july-1 Dedicated busway on 14th Street will roll out on July 1 Spivack Caroline June 11, 2019 Curbed NY dead https://web.archive.org/web/20190611221549/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/6/11/18661314/dot-mta-nyct-14th-street-busway-starting-july-1 June 11, 2019 June 11, 2019 However, the busway did not take effect until October 3, 2019.https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/busway-plan-banning-most-cars-14th-street-kicks-thursday Busway plan banning most cars from 14th Street kicks off Thursday 2019-09-30 Crain's New York Business Bloomberg en 2019-10-01https://ny.curbed.com/2019/9/27/20887426/nyc-bus-14th-street-transit-truck-priority-lawsuit https://web.archive.org/web/20190928214435/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/9/27/20887426/nyc-bus-14th-street-transit-truck-priority-lawsuit dead September 28, 2019 14th Street busway gets the green light from judges Plitt Amy 2019-09-27 Curbed NY en 2019-10-01 Construction The first construction work related to the 14th Street Tunnel shutdown began in 2017. Workers excavated shafts at the First Avenue and Bedford Avenue stations so equipment could be lowered into the tubes. After the repairs are completed, these shafts are to be converted into additional entrances for those stations. The construction of shafts at the First Avenue station began in July 2017 at the intersection of 14th Street and Avenue A.https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170711/east-village/l-train-new-entrance-avenue-a MTA Begins Work on New L Train Entrance at Avenue A as Bus Stops Relocate Hobbs Allegra July 11, 2017 DNAinfo New York https://web.archive.org/web/20170901021119/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170711/east-village/l-train-new-entrance-avenue-a September 1, 2017 dead August 31, 2017http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=t7041312&PLTYPE=1 Project Description, Budget and Scope: ADA Accessibility at 1st Avenue Station on the Canarsie Line March 31, 2018 Metropolitan Transportation Authority June 5, 2018 Shafts were also built at Driggs Avenue and North 5th Street in Brooklyn, at the Bedford Avenue station. The Bedford Avenue station's mezzanine would be expanded to make way for the new entrances.http://web.mta.info/capitaldashboard/allframenew_head.html?PROJNUM=t7041301&PLTYPE=1 Project Description, Budget and Scope: ADA Accessibility at Bedford Avenue Station on the Canarsie Line March 31, 2018 Metropolitan Transportation Authority June 5, 2018 July 2018, the projects at First Avenue and at Bedford Avenue were about one-fifth complete.14 Starting in August 2018, the MTA would close the tunnels for 15 weekends in preparation for the full-time closure the following year.https://nypost.com/2018/08/08/hipsters-flee-williamsburg-as-l-train-shutdown-approaches/ Hipsters flee Williamsburg as L train shutdown approaches Gould Jennifer Perez Chris August 9, 2018 New York Post August 10, 2018 en-US In the original plan, there were to be three groups of 150 contractors, with each group working 8-hour shifts. The demolition and replacement of the tunnels' wire duct banks, or benchwalls, were to take up much the project's duration. A dust collection machine, which was custom-ordered for the 14th Street Tunnel project, was to include ventilation and dust filtration systems that allow dust to be contained within the tunnels. The dust was to be taken out of the tunnels via flatbed cars that travel to the shafts at Avenue A in Manhattan and Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn. The demolition was to be completed within three months, after which work on the new station entrances and replacement duct banks would commence. The tracks within the tunnels were also to be replaced. These repairs would be able to last up to eighty years. Following the January 2019 announcement that the shutdown would instead be a partial closure, Cuomo and the MTA board unveiled some new details about the project. Rather than completely replacing the benchwall, workers would install new cable ducts on the sides of the existing tunnel walls, and the existing ducts would be abandoned.http://web.mta.info/mta/news/books/docs/Canarsie%20-%20Board%20Presentation%20011519%201120%20FINAL.pdf L Project Update New Design Recommendations Overall Project Update January 15, 2019 Metropolitan Transportation Authority January 18, 20197 The technique of racking the cables on the wall differed from previous proposals, in that a rack, rather than the cables themselves, would be bolted onto the wall.9 The benchwalls would be repaired with epoxy and fiberglass as necessary, then converted into emergency egress walkways.7, 11 By using this approach, less silica would need to be extracted from the tunnels because the benchwalls would not be entirely demolished.12 Fiber-optic and lidar sensors would be installed to allow MTA workers to more easily track imminent failures in the benchwalls. Station and track improvements would continue under the revised proposal.21 The repairs could last for up to forty years, and work might be elongated due to the need to maintain weekday service. thumb|The 14th Street Tunnel after rehabilitation The new plan meant that only 1% of the benchwall would have to be removed, namely the concrete surrounding 96 manholes. By the original closure date for the Canarsie tubes in April 2019, nearly half of that work had been completed. According to the New York Daily News, the extent of the work being done could result in a shortened service suspension.https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-l-train-construction-solution-benchwall-20190425-hlr6er2p3zed5l4lwserhtgnnu-story.html EXCLUSIVE: L-Pocalypse not — MTA has already completed the bulk of L train construction Guse Clayton nydailynews.com April 25, 2019 2019-04-26 However, the change in plans led to delays in the rehabilitation of the Canarsie Line's five stations within Manhattan. August 2019 the improvements were not set to start until 2020, whereas under the previous plan, the stations would have been renovated while the tunnel was closed. This could potentially increase the cost budgeted for these renovations, from $43.8 to $77.8 million.Martinez Jose L Station Repair Spending Projected to Double as MTA Takes Different Track The City August 29, 2019 http://thecity.nyc/2019/08/l-train-work-costs-projected-to-double-as-mta-takes-different-track.html August 29, 2019 August 29, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190829174853/https://thecity.nyc/2019/08/l-train-work-costs-projected-to-double-as-mta-takes-different-track.html dead Ricciulli Valeria L train repair costs may spike thanks to MTA's about-face Curbed NY August 29, 2019 https://ny.curbed.com/2019/8/29/20838249/l-train-station-repairs-slowdown-mta-nyc-manhattan https://web.archive.org/web/20190829174847/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/8/29/20838249/l-train-station-repairs-slowdown-mta-nyc-manhattan dead August 29, 2019 August 29, 2019 By September 2019, Cuomo announced that the shutdown work was progressing ahead of schedule and was set to be completed in April 2020. At that point, the Manhattan-bound tube's repairs had been finished, and work was starting on the Brooklyn-bound tube.Gov. Andrew Cuomo: L Train Tunnel Project Expected To Be Completed Ahead Of Schedule CBS New York September 29, 2019 https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/09/29/l-train-tunnel-project-ahead-of-schedule/ September 1, 2019Spivack Caroline L train slowdown will end 3 months ahead of schedule Curbed NY September 30, 2019 https://ny.curbed.com/2019/9/30/20891076/l-train-slowdown-ending-ahead-schudule-andrew-cuomo-mta https://web.archive.org/web/20191001170808/https://ny.curbed.com/2019/9/30/20891076/l-train-slowdown-ending-ahead-schudule-andrew-cuomo-mta dead October 1, 2019 September 1, 2019 On April 26, 2020, Cuomo announced the completion of the project, months ahead of schedule.Governor Cuomo Announces Completion of Nation-leading L Project Tunnel Rehabilitation With No Shutdown https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-completion-nation-leading-l-project-tunnel-rehabilitation-no-shutdown April 26, 2020 New York State - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Albany, NY April 27, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200427110938/https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-completion-nation-leading-l-project-tunnel-rehabilitation-no-shutdown April 27, 2020 livehttps://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/nyregion/coronavirus-new-york-update.html#link-10b01d9 Cuomo announces that the L Train will reopen April 26, 2020 The New York Times April 27, 2020 en-US 0362-4331https://nypost.com/2020/04/26/l-train-tunnel-rehabilitation-finished-ahead-of-schedule/ L train tunnel rehab from Brooklyn to Manhattan finished: Cuomo Feis Aaron 2020-04-26 New York Post en 2020-04-26 The expedited completion date was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, which sharply reduced ridership in the final weeks of the project.https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/cuomo-l-train-service-restored-amid-coronavirus-pandemic.html Cuomo: L train service restored amid coronavirus pandemic Porpora Tracey April 26, 2020 silive April 26, 2020 Work on the Bedford and First Avenues stations was also progressing. However, regular service was not restored after the project's completion; the lack of ridership during the pandemic had reduced the frequency of trains as well, under the MTA's essential service plan.https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-mta-l-train-tunnel-construction-20200426-hgo7ook6ufa75p3pjnwux63yoa-story.html MTA has finished repair work on Hurricane Sandy-damaged L train tunnel Guse Clayton April 26, 2020 nydailynews.com April 26, 2020 After the project was completed, the MTA had to consistently monitor the tunnels for signs of further degradation.Spivack Caroline May 2, 2025 Amtrak accuses MTA of spreading ‘misinformation’ on East River tunnel reconstruction https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/amtrak-rebuffs-mta-concerns-east-river-tunnel-reconstruction May 10, 2025 Crain's New York BusinessNessen Stephen May 9, 2025 Revisiting the debate over the MTA's L train tunnel repairs https://gothamist.com/news/revisiting-the-debate-over-the-mtas-l-train-tunnel-repairs May 10, 2025 Gothamist There was comparatively little discussion on the cable racks' effectiveness until 2025, when the MTA suggested that a similar system of racks be installed in the East River railroad tunnels, a suggestion that the tunnels' owner Amtrak rejected. Effects After the shutdown was announced in 2016, some Williamsburg residents let their leases expire in 2018. As a result, housing prices began to decrease. The rate of housing vacancies in August 2018 was 25% more than the rate twelve months prior. After the plans were changed to a partial shutdown, a report published in early 2020 showed that median housing rents in Williamsburg increased significantly compared to late 2018.https://ny.curbed.com/2020/1/8/21055650/streeteasy-report-williamsburg-rents-l-train-slowdown-brooklyn https://web.archive.org/web/20200108162829/https://ny.curbed.com/2020/1/8/21055650/streeteasy-report-williamsburg-rents-l-train-slowdown-brooklyn dead January 8, 2020 Williamsburg rents soar one year after L train shutdown switch Ricciulli Valeria 2020-01-08 Curbed NY en 2020-03-15 An independently made documentary, being produced by Ian Mayer and Emmett Adler and titled End of the Line, is being made about the effects of the 14th Street Tunnel shutdown.https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-l-train-shutdown-is-getting-its-own-documentary/ The L Train Shutdown Is Getting Its Own Documentary Surico John July 25, 2018 Vice July 28, 2018https://www.amny.com/entertainment/l-train-shutdown-documentary-1.19286810 On the L train doc set, it's all about the 'money train' Giannotta Meghan June 19, 2018 am New York July 28, 2018For the documentary itself, see: Arriving in 2019 End of the Line http://endofthelinedoc.com/ November 1, 2018 A board game, released in January 2019, also satirizes the shutdown.https://www.amny.com/transit/l-train-shutdown-board-game-1.25457049 Laugh off the (partial) L train shutdown with this board game Brown Nicole January 3, 2019 am New York January 4, 2019 See also 2017 New York City transit crisis, a state of emergency declared on the New York City Subway Notes References External links Category:History of the New York City Subway Category:2019 in New York City Category:2020 in New York City Category:2010s in Manhattan Category:2020s in Manhattan Category:2020s in Brooklyn Category:14th Street (Manhattan) Category:New York City Subway projects