New York's L Train Will Be Closed for 18 Months

Emma G. Fitzsimmons reports: "The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to close a tunnel that carries the L train, one of New York City’s most crowded subway lines, creating what officials acknowledge will be among the largest disruptions in the transit system’s history."

The threat of the closures has been lingering for a long time, though its doubtful the news about the closures brings any relief. In May, the New York Daily News described the whole situation when officials were considering one of two options for the closures. The announcement on Monday effectively ends the debate, and chooses the complete closure alternative over an option that would have allowed the operation of limited service over a three-year period.

"After considering two proposals for shutting down the L tunnel, the authority decided on the 18-month closing instead of a partial three-year shutdown that would have allowed some trains to continue running," explains Fitzsimmons.

As for details of exactly what parts of the L Train will be effected, Fitzsimmons adds this: "L trains will continue to operate in Brooklyn between the Williamsburg and Canarsie neighborhoods, but will not run between the Eighth Avenue stop in Manhattan and the Bedford Avenue station in Brooklyn. All five L train stops in Manhattan will close, along with the tunnel. About 225,000 riders now take the L train across the East River each day."