Brooklyn Subway Stop Reopens After Two-Year Closure
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Smith-Ninth streets subway station in Brooklyn reopened Friday morning after a two-year rehabilitation project.
The elevated station is on the F and G lines and serves more than 4,000 riders a day who are excited to have service back.
It is the world's tallest elevated stop and has been renovated from top-to-bottom at a cost of $32 million.
"I don't have to walk 10 blocks, I only have to walk one block," one rider said.
"It's so convenient now," another rider said. "Now I don't have to wait 15, 20 minutes for the bus when I can already be on the train. I'm so happy."
Brooklyn Subway Station Reopens
"I feel good! And I'm so glad that this thing here is back. Unbelievable," straphanger Barbara Smith of Red Hook, who was at the front of the line, told WCBS 880's Jim Smith.
She was very excited about the cut to her commuting time.
"I don't have to travel way downtown anymore. I can come here and get the G train."
Brooklyn Subway Stop Reopens After Two-Year Closure
The 79-year-old facility closed in June 2011 for what was supposed to be nine months of improvements.
Local business owners also felt the hit as the station remained out of commission.
"I didn't have no business, nothing," a nearby luncheonette worker said.
Now, businesses next to the entrance of the subway station are rejoicing over its return.
"It's a good thing," a local deli worker said. "People are coming back."
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said some work will continue after the station reopens, but it will not affect service.
"I think we could all be proud of the outcome. The outcome is terrific," said Acting MTA Chairman Fernando Ferrer.
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