We all know the L train shutdown will halt service between Brooklyn and Manhattan for 15 months next year. But between now and then, the L train is going to shutdown for more than a dozen weekends — and that starts this Friday night.
The MTA said these pre-L train shutdown disruptions will help prep the subway line for reliable service in Brooklyn when the Canarsie Tunnel is rebuilt next year. The tunnel was severely damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
“Our crews are working hard on track and signal infrastructure during periods of lower ridership so that while the L train tunnel is reconstructed and we run in Brooklyn only next year, it’s the most reliable service we can deliver on the line,” NYC Transit President Andy Byford said. “We thank our customers for their patience and understanding while we perform this important work that will not only improve service today, but is also critical to ensuring next year’s reconstruction project goes as smoothly as possible.”
What to know about the pre-shutdown L train shutdown
The pre-L train shutdown weekend service suspensions include track and signal maintenance and infrastructure improvements. They begin Aug. 10-13, and will occur again Oct. 5-8, Oct. 12-15, Oct. 19-22, Oct. 26-29, Nov. 9-12 and Nov. 16-19. Though not mentioned in Saturday’s MTA press release, page 49 of the agency’s L tunnel reconstruction plan also includes these 2019 weekends: Feb. 2-3, Feb. 9-10, Feb. 16-17, Feb. 23-24, March 2-3, March 9-10, March 16-17 and April 13-14.
The weekend L train shutdown will take place between 11:30 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday, with service between Broadway Junction and Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway only. The MTA will provide shuttle buses in Brooklyn and additional train and local bus service in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
For alternative service between Manhattan and Brooklyn, the MTA said: “During days and evenings, M trains will operate between 96th Street Q in Manhattan and Middle Village-Metropolitan Avenue. M trains will run from Middle Village-Metropolitan Avenue to Essex Street via the F from Broadway-Lafayette to Lexington Avenue/63rd Street, then via the Q to 96th Street and Second Avenue. M trains will not run overnight. For overnight service, take the J and transfer to F at Essex Street.”
Q service will not be affected.
Additional M14A buses will run between Eighth Avenue and Essex Street to make all the Manhattan L train stops. Free shuttle buses will operate along the L train line via three routes:
• Between Lorimer Street G/L and Marcy Avenue J/M
• Between Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues L/M and Lorimer Street G/L
• Between Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues L/M and Broadway Junction A/C/J/L.
For more info, visit mta.info.
