The MTA Has Two Plans for Fixing the L Train and Both Are Pretty Awful

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Like a terrible, fucked up game of "Would You Rather," or a presidential election where the country will inevitably have to decide which choice they hate the least, the MTA has come up with two equally shitty plans for the impending L train shutdown, NBC 4 New York reports.

The L train—which, if you don't live in New York, is essentially the main lifeline connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn, on which at least 400,000 people ride each day—has been in desperate need of a fix since Hurricane Sandy damaged it's tunnel in 2012. North Brooklyn residents who rely on the train have already been shouting about the MTA's hints at a shutdown for repairs for months, but this is the first time real, solid plans have been announced.

After a public hearing Thursday, the MTA came back with two equally unpleasant options. Basically, it will either shut down both train tracks for a year and a half, completely putting the L out of commission between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Or, if people can't handle that, the MTA can fix one track at a time—meaning trains going both directions would have to share a track, so service would be severely limited for three years.

If it goes with the quick 18-month fix, the MTA will implement a few overdue changes, like adding subway cars to the G trains, and increasing J and M train service. It also plans on offering shuttle and ferry service into Manhattan, and increase bus service.

The good news is construction isn't planned to start until 2019, and the MTA promises that after whichever plan is completed, the repaired tunnel will be pumping out more L trains than ever before and the Bedford Avenue and First Avenue stops will be equipped with fancy new stairs and elevators. But that is too far away to bring anyone real comfort.