Work To Start Next Week On 9 N Subway Stations In Brooklyn

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Work on nine stations along the N line in Brooklyn will begin next week.

The century-old stations are between Eighth Avenue in Sunset Park and 86th Street in Bensonhurst.

"This is a stretch that was built in the early 20th Century," MTA spokesperson Kevin Ortiz told 1010 WINS. "These are stations that are in dire need of work so we really want to fast track this work by doing nine stations at a time."

The project will be completed in two phases.

Beginning Monday, the stations' Manhattan-bound platforms will be closed for the 14-month-long rehabilitation. After that work will start on the Coney Island-bound platforms.

"Right now it's like 40 minutes maximum, but now it will be one and a half hours because you never know how the bus is working," one Brooklyn commuter told 1010 WINS' Al Jones. 

The renovations include platform and overpass improvements, new stairways, enhanced safety features and upgraded communication systems. The Eighth Avenue station will get ADA-compliant ramps, and four elevators will be installed at the New Utrecht Avenue station for easier access to N and D trains.

"We're aware that this is going to inconvenience customers, it's going to make their commutes a little bit longer but again this is extremely vital, important work that needs to be done," Ortiz said.

More information and travel alternatives are available the MTA website.

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