New York City subway commuters will be without G train service between the Bedford–Nostrand Avenues and Church Avenue stations in Brooklyn starting on Monday, marking the final phase of a monthslong service interruption that is scheduled to end after Labor Day.
The suspension is due to upgrades that the MTA is making to the G train’s decades-old signal system to improve service on the Crosstown Line. The third and final phase is set to begin at 4 a.m. on Monday and last until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3., when more riders typically return to the subway after summer getaways.
The phased shutdown along the G line began at the end of June and represents one of the transit system’s biggest construction-related disruptions in recent years. MTA officials have said that in addition to enhancing the line’s reliability, the ongoing repairs to signals, switches and tracks could eventually allow for full-sized G trains instead of the current half-length trains.
“We appreciate customers’ understanding as we work to modernize a signal system that dates back to the FDR administration,” said Jamie Torres-Springer, the agency’s president of construction and development, in a statement this week.
The disruptions to the line, which had already gained a reputation for infrequent service that often left riders waiting for long periods, have created additional headaches for commuters who rely on it to get around the city. Some have complained that the free shuttle buses covering the gaps in the route are slower and less comfortable than the trains.
The new phase of the shutdown also marks the restoration of service on Monday between the Bedford–Nostrand Avenues stop and the Court Square stop in Long Island City in Queens. No G trains have run between the two stations since July 5.
During the upcoming outage, free B93 buses will run between the Bedford–Nostrand Avenues and Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets stations, according to the MTA.
Shuttle service will also extend to the Jay Street–MetroTech station, which is served by the A, C, F and R trains. From there, riders can catch F trains stopping at all F and G train stops between Bergen Street and Church Avenue.