MTA To Begin Queens-Brooklyn 'G' Train Shutdown On Friday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Staphangers who rely on the "G" subway train are in for a rough ride as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is set to shut part of the line down for several weeks.
Starting Friday night the "G" will be shut down between Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Long Island City, Queens for a total of five weeks, 1010 WINS reported.
The MTA's Kevin Ortiz said the planned work will allow for tunnel repairs following extensive damage during Superstorm Sandy.
"Plain and simple metal and salt do not mix," Ortiz explained to 1010 WINS. "So when you have all the salt water penetrate the tunnels you do see extensive damage to all sorts of components inside the system and in those tunnels."
About 3 million gallons of salt water flooded the Greenpoint tunnel at the height of the hurricane, according to Ortiz.
A round-the-clock shutdown is needed because the closure will allow crews to work more intensely and effectively on the damage done by Sandy, Ortiz said.
State Sen. Daniel Squadron (D-Greenpoint) told 1010 WINS while the MTA is helping to make the situation less painful, there's more that needs to be done to help the Brooklyn community.
In response to the shutdown, Squadron has called for the reinstatement of the Greenpoint Ferry as a way to help residents go about their daily lives.
"It's also critical that the ferry in Greenpoint is reinstated," the lawmaker said. "This ferry has been out for 5 months, which is too long by any measure, and we've been clear for a whole long time that it better be back in service before the 'G' train goes out or we're really going to talk about stranding north Brooklynites."
Squadron said he's been working hard to ensure the MTA offers decent alternatives while the "G" is shut down.
"We're real pleased we were able to get a free transfer to the J, M, Z train for the first time ever," he said.
The "G" will be out of service between Court Square and Nassau Avenue through Sept. 2.
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