Surprise, shocking news from New York City, as Governor Andrew Cuomo steps in at the 11th hour to change course on the highly anticipated (and dreaded) L Train closure scheduled to begin later this year.
"Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced on Thursday that the L train subway tunnel would not fully shut down in April as planned in what would have been one of the biggest transit disruptions in New York City’s recent history," report Emma G. Fitzimmons and Shane Goldmacher.
The L Train closure was scheduled to begin on April 27, and preparations to make up for the lost capacity were already well underway. "The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the subway, had said the closing was necessary to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when the tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn was inundated by floodwaters," according to Fitzsimmons and Goldmacher.
Enter Governor Andrew Cuomo, who hatched a new plan with the help of a panel of experts. Under the new plan, "workers would use a different design to repair the tunnel and some work could be done on nights and weekends," according to the article. "The new plan could be completed in 15 to 20 months and means that the L train’s rush hour schedule will remain the same. Trains would still run at night and one weekends but wait times would be longer."
The methods recommended in the new plan have been deployed in Europe, but never before in the United States.
More coverage of the news is available from the Wall Street Journal (paywall), New York Post, Curbed New York, Business Insider, and Bloomberg.
FULL STORY: Full Shutdown of L Train to Be Halted by Cuomo
How the New L Train Repair Plan Will Work
After the initial shock of Governor Andrew Cuomo's cancellation of the planned L Train closure subsided, analysis and commentary rolled in.
Single-Occupant Vehicles Banned on Williamsburg Bridge During L Train Closure
Solo commuters crossing from Brooklyn to Manhattan on the Williamsburg Bridge are in for a rude awakening on April 27 when the L Train closes. To accommodate more buses and bikes on the 115-year old bridge, cars will need at least 3 people.
First Weekend of L Train Slowdown Could Have Been Worse
The long awaited repair work on the L Train between Brooklyn and Manhattan launched over the weekend.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service