L Train Service Restored After Water Main Break Snarls Morning Commute
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A water main ruptured early Wednesday in Manhattan, disrupting L train service during the morning commute.
The 20-inch main burst shortly before 6 a.m. near 14th Street and Seventh Avenue in Chelsea.
L train service was suspended in both directions between the Eighth Avenue and Bedford Avenue stations for about an hour and a half.
Complete service was restored shortly after 12 p.m.
L train service has resumed regular service between 8 Av and Canarsie Rockaway Pkwy after our crews repaired damage caused by a street-level water main break.
— NYCT Subway. Wear a Mask. (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
Expect residual delays as service normalizes. Thank you for your patience.
"The main job now for us is to get the damage repaired," Transit Authority President Andy Byford told reporters Wednesday morning. "These were switches and what we call stop motors – electrical equipment that was completely submerged in water. Obviously, it can stand rainwater, but to be completely submerged means extensive damage."
"My crews estimate this will take between four to six hours to repair. We've got a number of motors to replace," Byford continued. "We'll get that done, they're professionals, they know what they're doing. I'm very confident we'll have the full line back by the evening peak, probably sooner."
Water has stopped flowing into the tunnel. Our crews are on site to clear the water and debris and install replacement switch and signal equipment where necessary. We are working hard to restore full service by the afternoon rush. pic.twitter.com/S2PL8GFsvJ
— NYCT Subway. Wear a Mask. (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
"Water has stopped flowing into the tunnel. Our crews are on site to clear the water and debris and install replacement switch and signal equipment where necessary. We are working hard to restore full service by the afternoon rush," the MTA tweeted.
Update: Manhattan-bound L trains are now running approximately every 6 minutes, and are continuing to end at 14 St-Union Square.
— NYCT Subway. Wear a Mask. (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
Our crews are clearing debris from the tracks; new stop motors are also being delivered to the affected area and will be installed where needed. pic.twitter.com/izOljHzmoq
"Our crews are cleaning debris from the tracks; new stop motors are also being delivered to the affected area and will be installed where needed," the agency posted earlier.
Update: Manhattan-bound L trains are running approximately every 8 minutes and ending at 14 St-Union Square.
— NYCT Subway. Wear a Mask. (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
Our crews are on site and pumping water out from the submerged tracks. NYPD is working to keep the M14 bus moving as smoothly as possible along 14th Street. pic.twitter.com/FPu7hcEVFV
"Our crews are on site and pumping water out from the submerged tracks," another tweet read.
Here's a video we took of the broken water main earlier this morning. Water is no longer pouring into the tunnel, but many of our switches, motors and signals are submerged. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/vX5Db0PaFH
— NYCT Subway. Wear a Mask. (@NYCTSubway) January 23, 2019
CBS2's Tara Jakeway spoke with some frustrated commuters.
"Especially in rush hour, you need the things to keep rolling," Manhattan resident David Blumberg said. "There's no excuse."
Confusion as the @MTA tries to help morning commuters after a #RushHour water main break by the 14th street #subway station. Details on @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/DBa4mcyo4B
— Tara Jakeway (@tarajakewaytv) January 23, 2019
Others, however, made the most of it.
"It's OK. I got a nice walk," said Inwood resident Nneka Njoko. "I just like to look at the bright side."
The @MTA and #NYPD have set up shop on all corners of 14th Street and 7th Avenue updating commuters after a water main break IN the subway. We'll have the latest at noon on @CBSNewYork pic.twitter.com/FeLUsxZtcI
— Tara Jakeway (@tarajakewaytv) January 23, 2019
Yancy Roberson was on his way to a job interview and spent his walk up Seventh Avenue wondering how to explain what happened.
"I'll just tell them it's like this all the time, the subway station is always like this," he said. "The MTA got to do more for the consumers."