Cuomo And MTA Propose Shutdown Of 30 Subway Stations For Upgrades

File under: “oh no.”

The Clinton-Washington Avenue C station, as well as the Classon Avenue and Flushing Avenue G line stations, are among 30 subway stations proposed to be completely shut down in coming years in order to outfit them with new signs, lighting, navigation touch screens, and possibly even WiFi.

Eight of these stations are located in Brooklyn. Commuters along the R line would also be disproportionately affected — at the Prospect Avenue, 53 Street, and Bay Ridge Avenue stations in Park Slope, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge — as would Bed-Stuy riders along the C line, at Van Siclen Avenue and Kingston-Throop Avenues.

According to Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair Thomas Prendergast, the shutdowns would come in waves, with a few stations closed at a time, between now and 2020. The proposal is part of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s vision of a larger overhaul of New York City public transportation.

Other goals in Cuomo’s transportation revitalization include phasing out MetroCards, renovating Penn Station, bringing WiFi to stations and electrical outlets to subway cars and buses, and countdown clocks to lettered trains.

Cuomo told reporters at the NY Transit Museum last Friday, January 8, that the shutdowns would occur for an average of six to 12 months at a time.

But even with staggered closures, and as much as these stations could use an upgrade, what would it be like to completely lose subway access in a climate of already infrequent, overcrowded, and out-of-date cars and service?

Funding is also not guaranteed, nor are estimates confirmed, as MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg told Gothamist that it requires the approval of the 2015-2019 Capital Program. Prendergast also stated that public-private partnerships could be an option to lower costs.

What do you think of these proposed shutdowns? If it goes into effect as planned, how would you commute to work and around Brooklyn?