"L" train riders will avoid a shutdown of the line between Brooklyn and Manhattan, but they may still see fewer trains on nights and weekends.
More than a month after Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a plan to avert the shutdown, the MTA on Wednesday announced new details about a preliminary plan for changes and other repairs to the line:
- Trains would run every 20 minutes, from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m., on nights and weekends between Manhattan and Brooklyn when only one tube is open.
- To make up for the limited service, the "G" train would run more frequently overnight and on weekends.
- The "M" train would be extended into Manhattan from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. on weekdays. It would also be extended to 96th Street and 2nd Avenue, instead of Queens Boulevard, after 10 p.m.
- The MTA is not planning to create an HOV lane on the Williamsburg Bridge, or a busway on 14th Street in Manhattan, or longer G trains.
- The Bedford Avenue, Metropolitan, and Lorimer stations would get new stairs and other upgrades to comply with Americans with Disability Act standards.
- The MTA would also make some repairs to the Morgan, DeKalb and Halsey stations.
- New stairs would be installed at the Broadway-Junction station.
- The 1st Avenue "L" train stop would get a new entrance on Avenue A.
The MTA said some of the work wouldn't be visible to subway riders, including the installation of a new third rail for "reliability and efficiency." New cables, lighting, and pumps would also be added.
If this plan is approved, service disruptions would begin the weekend of April 27.
The MTA said it hopes this work will last 15 to 20 months, and it is still negotiating costs. MTA officials said in a conference call Wednesday that they believe the cost of the contract will be lower and not require board approval.
MTA officials also said they were concerned the partial closure would result in overcrowding at some "L" train stations, and did not rule out the idea of making the 1st and 3rd Avenue stations "exit-only" on weekends to stem overcrowding.
"L" train service is already shut down on nights and weekends along parts of the route until about March 18.
In early January, Cuomo announced a plan to avert a shutdown of the "L" train between Brooklyn and Manhattan for 15 months. It appears the plan will go forward even if the MTA's board doesn't approve the plan.
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