Hi. Big news. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the L Project's tunnel rehabilitation phase will be completed today, months ahead of schedule and under budget. Get all the details about it, and the continuing station and accessibility work, here.
We can't say it enough—thank you. This was hard. But we're New Yorkers. We started the L Project because of a crisis with Superstorm Sandy. Now we're finishing the toughest part of it during another one. And we did it by working together.
Now let's get you where you need to go, if you're an essential worker. Read on to re-learn how service will work once L service resumes its normal schedule (with adjustments for MTA Essential Service), starting tomorrow (Monday) night.
Not an essential worker but know one who has been impacted by the L Project? Please help us get the word out about service info and forward this along.
|
|
|
|
A behind-the-scenes look at one of the finished tubes. Now that the tunnel rehabilitation phase of the project is complete, L service schedules (with modifications under MTA Essential Service) go back to the way they were before starting Monday (tomorrow) night.
Photo: Trent Reeves / MTA / March 8, 2020
|
|
Trip tips: How to travel now that the L Project tunnel rehab phase is done as of tonight
|
|
Tonight is our final working shift on the L Project tunnel rehabilitation phase. That also means it's the final night for the L Project alternate service plan.
If you've been using these L Project service alternatives (hi, M train converts), and you're still traveling with us now, let's get you prepared with how service will work. This goes into effect starting tomorrow evening, Monday, April 27, 2020.
But first: remember that we're running MTA Essential Service. This means that "normal" subway and bus service frequencies won't be the same as you're used to, so use our website for the latest info.
|
|
L service
Frequency: We'll be running as much service as we can with our limited crews. As of today, this is more than the every-20-minute intervals on nights and weekends.
Route: Trains will resume running on both tracks. This means if you're at:
| A station with a platform in the middle (like Bedford Av): Trains will arrive on both tracks, going in the direction as indicated on our signs
| A station with different entrances depending on the direction you're heading (like 1 Av or 3 Av): Trains will arrive on both tracks, so head to the entrance that aligns with the direction you're going (i.e. if you're at 1 Av and want to head toward 8 Av, go to the entrance for 8 Av-bound service)
M service
Frequency: M trains were running as frequently as every 10 minutes on weekends before the L Project. Right now, we're running as much service as we can with our available resources, so check our website for the latest service information.
Route:
| The M no longer serves the Second Avenue Line. The Q continues to provide service to/from 96 St-2 Av.
| M service along the 6 Av Line ends earlier on weekday evenings. The last M train to Brooklyn along 6 Av departs 34 St-Herald Sq at approximately 9 PM; the last M train to Forest Hills-71 Av departs Delancey-Essex Sts at approximately 9 PM
| Between approximately 9 PM and approximately 11 PM on weekdays, and between 6:30 AM (Saturdays) or 8:30 AM (Sundays) and 11 PM on weekends, M service operates between Metropolitan Av and Delancey-Essex Sts. The F continues to provide 6 Av local service.
| After 11 PM, service operates only as a shuttle between Metropolitan Av and Myrtle Av-Broadway.
|
G service
Frequency: G trains were running as frequently as every 10 minutes on weekends before the L Project. Right now, same as the M train—we're running as much service as we can with our available resources, so check our website for the latest service information.
Route: No change for the L Project tunnel rehabilitation phase, so nothing to change back.
7 service
Frequency: We were running extra weeknight trips on the 7 during the L Project. Since we implemented MTA Essential Service, those had ended, and going forward, we'll continue running as much service as we can with our available resources. Again, check the website for the latest info.
Route: No change for the L Project tunnel rehabilitation phase, so nothing to change back.
M14 SBS
Frequency: We were running extra M14A service to connect to Delancey-Essex Sts Station, and going forward, that will end permanently. Since we implemented MTA Essential Service, those extra buses had paused, and going forward, we'll continue running as much service as we can with our available resources.
Route: We implemented SBS on the M14 during the L Project, and that will remain in effect.
Free transfers
| Between Livonia St on the L and Junius St on the 3: We officially made this a permanent free transfer back in February.
| Connecting from Broadway on the G to either Hewes St or Lorimer St on the J and M: We're giving some flexibility as you get used to using the L again. As of now, this free transfer is planned to remain through May 31, 2020.
|
|
Reminder: Take our 2-minute survey
|
|
 Thanks to the many of you who took our survey last week.
ICYMI: We want to hear your take on what information and communication worked for you, so we can do better going forward. The survey will take approximately 2 minutes.
The deadline to submit is Thursday, April 30, at 11:59 p.m. Check it out!
|
|
Transit trivia: Sensors, fibers and rodent protection are all part of the fiber optic monitoring system
|
|
|
 As you know, having a truly resilient L tunnel means both installing new infrastructure AND ways to proactively monitor it.
We've talked about how this monitoring system—specifically, "fiber optic monitoring system"—works. Here are more facts about what goes into it (yes, including rodent prevention):
1. The fiber optic monitoring system is made up of cables and sensors, and covers the entire length of the under-river L tunnel, defined as the distance between the fan plants in Manhattan and Brooklyn. The system is attached to both sides of the walls in each tube.
2. The cables have 6 strains of fibers inside, including ones that sense temperature and ones that sense strain, or movement. The cables are further protected when they're attached to the wall: a layer of waterproofing and a layer of rodent protection cover the cables.
3. The sensors are a type called "distributed fiber optic sensors." This means they are uniquely able to continuously monitor and report on any strain or temperature changes.
|
|
Customer question of the week
|
|
 In last week’s issue, we introduced you to our new “fourth rail” in the L tunnel. We mentioned that this fourth rail is a first for us at New York City Transit.
But is it a first for transit systems around the globe? A few transit aficionados asked:
Q: I thought the fourth rail was used in other parts of the world. Is it?
A: Very astute, and yes. There is, in fact, one large-scale, long-time user of the fourth rail for negative returns in the rail transit industry—the London Underground. All Underground lines make use of the fourth rail. (h/t to our rail planning expert Glenn Lunden for the fact check and info.)
|
|
Glamour shot of the week: There is nothing more glamourous than courage and dedication
|
|
|
|
Two parts of our essential workforce in NYC coming together to keep our system moving. Here, medically-trained personnel check temperatures of our transit employees at the Grand Av Depot in Queens. This is one of 22 locations where temperature checks for staff are happening.
Photo: Andrew Cashin / MTA New York City Transit / April 9, 2020
|
|
Construction look-ahead: Week of 4/26/2020
|
|
Stations get lots of love this week ahead. Here's what we're up to:
- Continue progress at 1 Av Station: Relocate lighting fixtures at the Ave A staircases, patch and tile at the Avenue A South staircases and install conduit wire and lighting fixtures at Avenue A South
- Continue work at Bedford Av Station: Install new fire alarm devices, remove negative rail connections and reconnect them after new replacements are in, relocate conduit and customer information screen at the Driggs Ave end of the platform
- Continue work at the three new substations (one in Manhattan, two in Brooklyn)
|
|
|
|
|
