The MTA has officially decided what most residents and riders asked for all along.
They announced Monday that they will shut down the L train from 8th Avenue in Manhattan to Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg for 18 months, starting in 2019.
“While the MTA always looks to avoid service disruptions, there is no question that repairs to the Canarsie Tunnel are critical and cannot be avoided or delayed,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast. “Throughout this process we have committed to engaging the community and listening to all concerns so that we can address them as we prepare for this necessary work.”
This decision comes after months of surveying and public listening sessions. According to the MTA, 77 percent of comments the MTA received asked for this option.
The other plan the MTA floated at meetings was to have a 3-year partial shutdown in which service would be dreadfully slower than it already is. They were leaning against that option, and riders agreed.
In the meantime, the MTA should look at increasing service for alternative trains (G or M, for example) or a dedicated bus lane for the M14 in Manhattan.