Some riders skeptical of R station shutdown timeline

The MTA shut down the 53rd Street R train subway station Monday for the beginning of a six-month long modernization project leaving some riders skeptical of how long it could take.

The $72 million project will bring repairs and upgrades to the station, officials say.

Two other subway stations on the R line will close as well. The Bay Ridge Avenue station will be shut down for six months starting on April 29, followed by the Prospect Avenue station on June 5.

The MTA plans to modernize more than 30 stations all over the city.

Besides structural repairs, the MTA says it is installing granite flooring, new lighting, phone charging stations and digital transit information screens.

Although many commuters say they are skeptical of the time it will take the MTA to complete the construction while the stations are closed, others say the upgrades are needed.

MTA officials say commuters can still access the R station on 4th Avenue and use buses during the closure. The B37 and B63 buses run parallel to the R subway line.