Editorial
At long last, some signs of transit progress
The “L-pocalypse” many feared
a year ago has been completely
avoided.
Governor Andrew Cuomo touted
on Sept. 29 the completion of repairs
to one of the two L train tunnel linking
Manhattan to Brooklyn. Work
is already underway on the other
tunnel, and that’s expected to be
completed next April — a full three
months ahead of schedule.
It’s a remarkable turnaround. Just
think back to a year ago, when residents
on both sides of the East River
feared losing the L line for many
months while repairs were planned.
The city scrambled and worked on
transit contingency plans. The MTA
prepared an array of service changes
to provide riders alternate routes.
Even that wasn’t enough for numerous
residents who chose to move out
of neighborhoods serviced by the L
line rather than deal with months of
limited subway options.
Everything changed in January,
when Cuomo announced that he
was in consultation with engineering
experts looking to find a way to
make the necessary repairs happen
through a more efficient, more commuter
friendly approach.
There was a will to avoid the full
L train closure that seemed inevitable
— and fortunately, Cuomo, the
experts and the MTA found a way.
Utilizing a number of new technological
advances employed in other
subway systems, the plans were altered,
and the timeline for completion
was significantly slashed. Service
remains in place on the L line,
though it is limited because just one
East River tunnel is open. But it
could’ve been so much worse.
Sure, it would have been nice if
Cuomo and the MTA thought of
these more advanced construction
plans more than a year ago. It could
have avoided a lot of consternation
and confusion, and allowed some
residents to stay in the neighborhoods
they love but parted only be-
Publisher of The Villager, Villager Express, Chelsea Now,
Downtown Express and Manhattan Express
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
CEO & CO-PUBLISHER
EDITOR IN CHIEF
REPORTERS
CONTRIBUTORS
ART DIRECTORS
ADVERTISING
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
PUBLISHER’S LIABILITY FOR ERROR
The Publisher shall not be liable for slight changes
or typographical errors that do not lessen the value
of an advertisement. The publisher’s liability for
others errors or omissions in connection with an
advertisement is strictly limited to publication of the
advertisement in any subsequent issue.
Published by Schneps Media
One Metrotech North, 3rd floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (718) 260-2500
Fax: (212) 229-2790
On-line: www.thevillager.com
E-mail: news@thevillager.com
© 2019 Schneps Media
VICTORIA SCHNEPS-YUNIS
JOSHUA SCHNEPS
ROBERT POZARYCKI
GABE HERMAN
ALEJANDRA O’CONNELL
MARK HALLUM
MICHELE HERMAN
BOB KRASNER
TEQUILA MINSKY
MARY REINHOLZ
PAUL SCHINDLER
MARCOS RAMOS
CLIFFORD LUSTER
(718) 260-2504
CLUSTER@CNGLOCAL.COM
GAYLE GREENBURG
JIM STEELE
JULIO TUMBACO
ELIZABETH POLLY
New York Press Association
Member of the National
Newspaper Association
Member of the
Member of the
Minority Women Business Enterprise
Governor Andrew Cuomo inspects
the Canarsie Tube on Sept. 29.
cause they thought they were losing
their subway line.
That being said, the advances
made through the L train reconstruction
project are indeed something to
appreciate, and leaves us hopeful
for the future of infrastructure in
New York.
The MTA’s new Five-Year Capital
Plan includes more than $50 billion
in infrastructure improvements, including
completion of the Second
Avenue Subway’s second phase to
PHOTO COURTESY OF GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
125th Street and more than $7 billion
in signal improvements.
The city and state, now, must make
sure that this capital plan is as efficient
and expedient as possible, with
the most advanced construction
methods in place to assure the timely
completion of high-quality, longlasting
construction work.
Let’s be optimistic that the state
and MTA have turned a corner here,
and that the future of our transit system
is bright once more.
In The Villager’s Dec. 2, 1971 issue, Greenwich Village resident Ed
Schroeder fed friendly pigeons in Washington Square Park on a quiet afternoon,
according to the caption. “Ed stops in the park almost every day at
noon,” the caption continued. “’They like peanuts the best,’ he said. ‘They’re
great, aren’t they?’”
-Gabe Herman
12 October 3, 2019 TVG Schneps Media
/www.thevillager.com
link
link
/www.thevillager.com
link
link