The MTA will begin working on updates to the Crosstown Line, which will impact service on the G line this summer.
Once completed, the G line will have modernized signals, enabling more reliable train service, according to the MTA. But before that happens, construction will cause major schedule changes planned in three stages, stretching from the end of June to the beginning of September.
Officials have promised G train riders they’re putting transportation alternatives in place while construction is underway, although local residents say they’re bracing for the worst.
In the meantime, here’s what you need to know about the shutdowns.
When and where are the partial shutdowns happening?
Service on the G line will be suspended in three phases, running from June 28 to Sept. 3.
- Phase one from June 28 to July 5, when G trains will not run between Court Sq and Nassau Av.
- Phase two from July 5 to Aug. 12, when G trains will not run between Court Sq and Bedford-Nostrand Avs.
- Phase three from Aug. 12 to Sept. 3, when G trains will not run between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av.
Why are the shutdowns happening?
The signal system on the G line is more than 90 years old, according to the MTA, rendering it “past of the end of its useful life.”
In fact, MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber at a press conference in mid-June went so far as to describe the control rooms at the Nassau Avenue station “the land that time forgot.”
Construction crews will replace that system with “the latest in communications-based train control” — otherwise known as CBTC technology. The MTA commonly touts the tech as vital to making the transit system more reliable. On lines where the modern signals have been installed — like on the 7 and L — trains tend to run on time at dramatically higher rates.
Rather than complete construction overnight or on weekends, the MTA said partially suspending 24/7 service will keep costs down while enabling crews to work more quickly.
Tell me more about the service changes
Phase 1: June 28-July 5
- From June 28 to July 5, G trains won’t run between Court Sq and Nassau Av in either direction.
G trains won’t stop at:- Court Sq E, M, 7
- 21 St
- Greenpoint Av
- Free B94 shuttle buses will run between Court Sq and Nassau Av, making all G stops.
- Re-enter the subway with OMNY or MetroCard at Court Sq E, M, 7 or Nassau Av.
- J and Z trains will make local stops between Myrtle Av and Marcy Av at all times.
- Use OMNY or MetroCard for a free out-of-system transfer between Broadway G and Hewes St J, Z, M or Lorimer St J, Z, M.
- G trains will run between Nassau Av and Church Av at all times.
Phase 2: July 5-Aug. 12
- From July 5 to Aug. 12, G trains won’t run between Court Sq and Bedford-Nostrand Avs.
G trains won’t stop at:- Court Sq E, M, 7
- 21 St
- Greenpoint Av
- Nassau Av
- Metropolitan Av/Lorimer St L
- Free B98 shuttle buses will run between Court Sq and Bedford-Nostrand Avs, making all G stops.
- Re-enter the subway with OMNY or MetroCard at Court Sq E, M, 7 , Metropolitan Av/Lorimer St or Bedford-Nostrand Avs.
- J, Z trains will make local stops between Myrtle Av and Marcy Av at all times.
- Use OMNY or MetroCard for a free out-of-system transfer between Broadway and Hewes St J, Z, M or Lorimer St J, Z, M.
- G trains will run between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av at all times, every eight minutes during rush hour and every 10 minutes during the day and evening:
- Broadway
- Flushing Av
- Myrtle-Willoughby Avs
Phase 3: Aug. 12-Sept. 3
- From Aug. 12 to Sept. 3, G trains won’t run between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av.
G trains won’t stop at:- Classon Av
- Clinton-Washington Avs
- Fulton St
- Hoyt-Schermerhorn A, C
- Bergen St F
- Carroll St F
- Smith-9 Sts F
- 4 Av-9 St F, R
- 7 Av F
- 15 St-Prospect Park F
- Fort Hamilton Pkwy F
- Church Av F
- F trains will continue to make all F, G stops between Bergen St and Church Av.
- Free B93 shuttle buses will run between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Jay St-MetroTech A, C, F, R , making all G stops between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Hoyt-Schermerhorn A, C.
- Re-enter the subway with OMNY or MetroCard at Bedford-Nostrand Avs, Hoyt-Schermerhorn A, C, Jay St-MetroTech A, C, F, R , or these additional Downtown Brooklyn stations:
- Borough Hall/Court St R, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Hoyt St 2, 3
- Nevins St 2, 3, 4, 5
- DeKalb Av B, Q, R
- Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Lafayette Av C
- J, Z trains will make local stops between Myrtle Av and Marcy Av at all times.
- Use OMNY or MetroCard for a free out-of-system transfer between Broadway G and Hewes St J, Z, M or Lorimer St J, Z, M.
- G trains will run between Court Sq and Bedford-Nostrand Avs at all times, every eight minutes during rush hour and every 10 minutes during the day and evening.
The MTA recommends straphangers check this page for any additional weekend night or weekend weekend service changes.
Maps for Phases 1, 2 and 3
How much will the updates cost?
The project was budgeted to cost approximately $368 million, according to MTA officials.
A breakdown of that cost has been outlined by NYC Transit here.
Who's in charge of the project?
Enter Hugo Zamora, the newly appointed G train "czar." Zamora is a general superintendent for the MTA who comes to the project with more than three decades of experience with New York transit.
Announcing his appointment, Lieber described him as a “first class, lifelong transit professional.”
Zamora will be tasked with helping to minimize disruptions to public transit riders while construction is underway, and shepherding the project along toward its completion.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story misstated the total cost of the project.