NEW YORK - The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says the L train shutdown will officially begin on April 27, 2019.

Once it begins, service between Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg and Eighth Avenue in Manhattan will be suspended for 15 months.

WHY IS THE SHUTDOWN HAPPENING?

Starting in April 2019, the Canarsie Tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn will close for 15 months of repairs.

The repairs are necessary due to flooding damage from Hurricane Sandy six years ago. The 1.4-mile tube took on 7 million gallons of saltwater during Hurricane Sandy, causing extensive damage.

In order to complete the work, the agency considered two plans. The MTA chose the full shutdown of the line over a plan to stretch repair work across three years in order to allow limited service.

HOW WILL L TRAIN COMMUTERS GET AROUND DURING THE SHUTDOWN?

Roughly 225,000 people use the L train every day to get between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Approximately 80 percent are expected to use other subway lines during the closure. 

The MTA is adding trains on other lines to accommodate those riders.

The G line will get the most increased capacity, with 66 additional weekday round trips, followed by the M line with 62.

The A, E, F, J, Z, and 7 trains will get about 20 extra weekday round trips each.

The MTA is also encouraging commuters to take the bus, both from Brooklyn and in Manhattan.

New York City Transit President Andy Byford said in June that buses will play a significant role in shuttling riders across the East River.

"80 buses per hour, accommodating 4,200 riders," Byford said in June. "80 buses per hour will form an intense bus shuttle across the Williamsburg Bridge."

In addition, Select Bus Service along 14th Street in Manhattan will begin on January 6, more than three months ahead of the shutdown. That Select Bus Service will supplement the M14A and M14D routes that travel across town along 14th Street.

The city also says that during the shutdown, only buses will be allowed on 14th Street from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

In addition, the MTA says its new ferries will also help L train riders, carrying up to 1,190 riders on eight boats per hour.