Straphangers scramble for alternatives as Montague Tube closure looms
Straphangers in Southwest Brooklyn are bracing themselves for what will be a hellish commute that will last until next fall – if we’re lucky.
Beginning on August 3, the Montague Tube, which carries the R train underneath the East River, will be closed due to much-needed repairs to damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. During the storm, the tube was filled with millions of gallons of seawater, corroding switches, track and communication equipment.
The R train will run between 95th Street and Court Street in Brooklyn and between Forest Hills and Whitehall Street. During weekends, the R will run over the Manhattan Bridge skipping the MetroTech and Court Street stations in Brooklyn and the Whitehall Street, Rector Street, Cortlandt Street and City Hall stations in Manhattan.