G Stands for “Please Take a Break!”
Brooklyn’s G Line riders, stretching from Long Island City to Greenpoint, could be facing further disruptions this summer, marking a frustrating third consecutive year.
State Representative Emily Gallagher mentioned on Sunday that the MTA is “seriously considering” weekend closures for G trains throughout June, and for two weekends in August and one in May, as they continue work on important lines and the outdated signal systems.
Moreover, planned closures for the Suburban Line, which connects Court Square in Long Island City to Church Avenue in Kensington, are already in the works for every weekend in December and a week in September. That’s some pretty rough news.
MTA officials reassured the public that these disruptions are merely possibilities at this point, with updates to be posted on their website. Still, Gallagher is understandably frustrated by even the thought of extended service interruptions. She stated that these closures significantly harm local communities, particularly small businesses that need customer traffic during peak months.
“These disruptions affect our social lives, weekend preparations, and finances. They really complicate the lives of those living in Greenpoint,” she expressed.
Gallagher’s comments come as a letdown after residents had been told the previous closures would be the last. Commuters have been dealing with alternatives like shuttle buses and costly bike-share options, which aren’t ideal.
Her office is now planning to set up a town hall to address these ongoing issues.
The infamous summer closures of the G train—which have plagued riders since 2024—are intended to modernize the line’s signaling system, a project projected to cost $368 million. The need to replace signals on such old infrastructure leads to frequent interruptions, according to MTA representatives.
Originally, the MTA estimated these upgrades would wrap up by 2027, but a recent report suggested they might be two years behind schedule.
Mitchell Hibum, a resident of Kensington, voiced his concerns. “I’m not pleased. The G train stops all the time.” During the last suspension, he found himself taking two and a half hours to get home from Greenpoint instead of the usual 50 minutes.
With these delays becoming commonplace, he’s even contemplating moving to a new area.
Many riders echo his frustration. The G line was closed for most weekends from December through March, causing significant inconvenience. “I’ve relied on Ubers, buses, and shuttles, but none of them get me where I need to go quickly,” Hibum added. “The G’s unreliability is a real issue for me.”
Will P., another Brooklyn resident, reflected on the situation, lamenting how the project still isn’t complete after so many delays. “You would think it would’ve been finished by the last summer, but here we are, facing it again,” he said.
He expressed worries about the long-term impact on local businesses due to repeated weekend closures, pointing out that the disruptions could deter people from visiting Williamsburg, stating, “It’s not worth it.”
