Squadron, 32 Electeds Urge L Train Interagency Working Group

Squadron, Electeds Call for City, State, Federal Gov to Work Together During 18-Month Canarsie Tube Closure As MTA Has Pursued

NEW YORK - Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron and 32 elected officials, urged creation of a collaborative interagency working group to mitigate the impact of repairs to the L train’s Canarsie tubes. In their letter to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and MTA Chair Prendergast, (attached) Squadron and the electeds urged collaboration through a State and City-led working group, noting the extensive coordination required to meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands of riders who use the L train daily, as the MTA has begun. State, City, and Federal elected officials have been working with the MTA on robust community engagement to ensure riders are well informed as the service plans are developed and released. The 32 elected officials include Congressmembers Clarke, Jeffries, Maloney, Nadler, and Velázquez, State Senators Dilan, Gianaris, Hamilton, Hoylman, Krueger, Parker, and Persaud, Assemblymembers Davila, Glick, Gottfried, Kavanagh, Lentol, Miller, Perry, and Walker, City Comptroller Stringer, Borough Presidents Adams and Brewer, and City Councilmembers Barron, Crowley, Espinal, Garodnick, Johnson, Levin, Maisel, Mendez, and Reynoso.

“As you know, the L train is a transit lifeline for many of the communities we represent,” wrote State Senator Daniel Squadron and the electeds to Governor Cuomo, Mayor de Blasio, and MTA Chair Prendergast. “It is clear that mitigating the impacts of the closure requires bold action within and outside the MTA and significant interagency coordination. A working group should be convened to facilitate collaboration and planning among relevant agencies.”

Squadron and the electeds have called for the working group to be comprised of City, State and Federal agencies, and include engagement with electeds, the L train Coalition, community boards, advocates, and other stakeholders. The MTA has announced L line service will be suspended entirely between Manhattan and Brooklyn 18-months for Hurricane Sandy-related repairs, beginning in 2019.

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