City Council members claim MTA is mum on L train shutdown plans
Two City Councilmen attacked the MTA on Monday for not keeping them updated on plans to shut down a portion of the L subway line in 2019.
Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-Brooklyn) said it’s been “radio silence” for about six months from the beleaguered agency.
The Council is holding a hearing on the shutdown on Thursday. The MTA has been invited, but Reynoso and Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez said they’re uncertain whether the state-controlled authority would sent representatives.
“We just wish it wouldn’t have to be a hearing to get us updates on what’s happening,” Reynoso said.
The MTA responded that’s its plans for the L train are an open book.
“We’re working collaboratively with New York City DOT and developing a comprehensive plan to mitigate the issues caused by the badly needed L train tunnel repairs in 2019. During the entire process we’ve made community engagement an essential priority – with 39 community briefings since May 2016 – and that extensive outreach will absolutely continue as we move forward,” said MTA spokesman Shams Tarek.
Possible mitigation plans previously floated by the MTA do not include installing elevators at two stations currently without them — the 3rd Avenue and 6th Avenue stations in Manhattan, according to Kate Slevin, a vice president with the Regional Plan Association.
A final plan should include those features, she said.