Will the L Train Shutdown be a Missed Opportunity or Model for the Future?

The MTA has said it will shutdown the L train for 15 months starting in April 2019 to conduct needed repairs on the tunnels under the East River. The agency has released plans to upgrade the L train during the closure, and has been working with New York City Department of Transportation to develop alternative transportation options for the 400,000 riders that use the L train each weekday.

The shutdown makes sense because the work will be able to be done faster and at lower cost. But many organizations and elected officials have been asking that the agencies make the most of the shutdown, so riders see a substantial improvement once the line reopens. At the same time, the closure presents an opportunity to test bold street designs being used in other cities to move buses and people faster. The specific details of the service plan are not yet public, leaving elected officials and local business groups nervous.

While the MTA has some important capital improvements planned during the shutdown, including new elevators at 1st Ave and Bedford Ave stations, the project still falls short. For example, the MTA has no plans to improve accessibility at 3rd or 6th Avenues, circulation at Union Square, or start track extensions at the 8th Ave station that would allow more service to run.

Time is of the essence. The MTA is about to miss a key opportunity to make the project more beneficial to riders. A firm has already been selected and is moving forward on design and engineering plans. If changes are not made to the capital project plans soon, the window for modification closes.