NYC G Train Repairs Set for 10 Weekend Closures
MTA plans 10 weekend G train shutdowns in 2026 for tunnel repairs between Brooklyn and Queens
G Train Cuts 10 Weekends for Greenpoint Repairs
Greenpoint businesses face another round of weekend closures as the MTA plans to shut down G train service for 10 weekends throughout 2026. The shutdowns will affect service between Bedford-Nostrand and Court Square, transit officials said. Business owners worry the outages will hurt revenue during their busiest sales day, with specific closure dates not yet finalized.
Tunnel Issues Force Extended Work
The additional closures stem from unexpected tunnel damage discovered between Greenpoint and Long Island City, according to the MTA. Workers found more extensive issues than initially anticipated during a previous extended shutdown in summer 2024 for signal and track upgrades. The agency said the repairs are part of ongoing signal modernization work along the G line that's expected to continue through 2027. MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said the agency is willing to work with the community to find optimal timing for the shutdowns.
Shuttle Buses Draw Criticism
Free shuttle buses will replace train service during the outages, but community leaders say the buses are unreliable and discourage people from visiting local businesses. The shutdowns will occur every weekend in June and December, plus two weekends in August and one weekend each in May and September. Business owners are particularly worried about the impact on their revenue, with Saturday being the biggest sales day for many shops. Officials haven't said how many buses will run or what specific routes they'll follow.
Community Pushes for Spread-Out Schedule
Community leaders and businesses have suggested spreading out the closures rather than having consecutive weekend shutdowns, especially during critical periods like the lead-up to July 4th, the World Cup, and the December holiday shopping season. According to the MTA, specific dates for the shutdowns haven't been finalized. Officials said they're willing to minimize impact but didn't provide a timeline for when the schedule will be announced.
Riders Face Years of Disruptions
Local businesses fear they may not survive another extended period of reduced accessibility, given the current challenging retail economy. The signal modernization work is expected to continue through 2027, meaning riders can expect additional service disruptions over the next two years. Moovit provides real-time updates for G train service and shuttle bus routes during weekend closures.
