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L train shutdown explained: Facts, figures, proposals and more

Freaking out about the L train shutdown? You’re not alone. The L train plays an integral role in getting hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers between Manhattan and Brooklyn every day.

In 2012, superstorm Sandy’s surge flooded the Canarsie Tunnel under the East River with millions of gallons of salt water, causing severe damage.

In response, the MTA said it would need to shut down the L train between Manhattan and Brooklyn for 15 months beginning April 27, 2019, so that it could make critical repairs.

The state-run agency and the city Department of Transportation have since unveiled a comprehensive plan to mitigate the effects of the shutdown. The agencies also released an analysis of the potential environmental impacts the mitigation plan, dubbed the Alternative Service Plan, could have on the city.

The City Council, meanwhile, has passed several bills aimed at keeping commuters informed and the agencies accountable during the rehabilitation project.

Below, find out more about Sandy’s impact, the shutdown plan, the official transportation alternatives, community input and the unofficial proposals that have been floated by others.