R Train Service to Halt Between Brooklyn, Manhattan

There will be no R train service between Brooklyn and Manhattan for at least a year starting in August as the MTA shuts down a key tunnel to repair damage sustained during Sandy, officials say.

The closure of the Montague tube will likely last between 12 and 14 months, and affect about 65,000 daily riders.

In addition, the MTA will shut down all G train service between Brooklyn and Queens for 12 weekends beginning later this summer.

“Closing these two subway tubes is a difficult but necessary step to restore them to the condition they were in before Sandy struck,” said MTA Acting Chairman Fernando Ferrer in a statement.

“The temporary repairs that returned these tubes to operation after Sandy are not enough to provide reliable service. This is unfortunately the reality of recovery from Sandy: the damage is insidious and continuing, and repairing it will take billions of dollars over several years." ....................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.wnyc.org/blogs/transportation-nation/2013/jun/05/no-r-train-year-starting-august/