New Yorkers Bracing for L Train Closures

Two alternatives for repairs on the New York subway's L Train line will have severe consequences for 225,000 riders who cross the East River daily.

1 minute read

May 21, 2016, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New York Subway Station

littleny / Shutterstock

"MTA brass face a difficult decision on fixing the 92-year-old Canarsie tunnel that links the two boroughs [of Brooklyn and Manhattan]," reports to an article by Dan Rivoli. The repairs are needed after "Hurricane Sandy flooded the tunnel with more than 7 million gallons of salt water" and the tunnel continues to corrode.

Work is scheduled to begin 2019, but the MTA is still presented with two options for how to perform the necessary maintenance to the tunnel. In option one, work "could kill L train service in and out of Manhattan for 18 months, leaving the line with only Brooklyn service." Option to would leave extra-crowded trains "[limping] beneath the East River on a single track for three years."

Rivoli coverage maintains a human angle throughout, sharing stories of residents and commuters who depend on the line—especially describing the tough choices they will have to make when either alternative for the repair work is chosen. Mayor Bill de Blasio recently told WNYC's "Brian Lehrer Show" that he was "more sympathetic" to the three-year approach, but he is unprepared to give a formal position. 

Saturday, May 7, 2016 in New York Daily News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Street with parking protected bike lane and parked cars in downtown Portland, Oregon.

Portland Raises Parking Fees to Pay for Street Maintenance

The city is struggling to bridge a massive budget gap at the Bureau of Transportation, which largely depleted its reserves during the Civd-19 pandemic.

July 8 - Willamette Week

Aerial view of Spokane, Washington with river in foreground.

Spokane Mayor Introduces Housing Reforms Package

Mayor Lisa Brown’s proposals include deferring or waiving some development fees to encourage more affordable housing development.

July 8 - The Spokesman-Review

Close-up on black and white "Bike Lane Ends" sign with bike logo.

Houston Mayor Kills Another Bike Lane

The mayor rejected a proposed bike lane in the Montrose district in keeping with his pledge to maintain car lanes.

July 8 - Houston Public Media

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA