New Yorkers face 1st weekend of L train shutdown

New Yorkers are getting a preview of the looming 15-month L train shutdown between Brooklyn and Manhattan this weekend.
The subway line is shutting down between Manhattan and Broadway Junction for several consecutive weekends as the MTA continues repairs and preparation for the Canarsie Tunnel project in April.
The tunnel needs to be repaired after Superstorm Sandy destroyed a significant portion of it.
Commuters are bracing for a transit headache, as they will need to catch shuttle buses at Broadway Junction to access all the L train stops heading into Manhattan.
Straphangers say while the repairs may be frustrating, they realize it must be done.
"It is an inconvenience but I don't see how else they can accomplish keeping it running," said Alan Fleming. "I mean you can either have it break down unexpectedly or have intermittent and interruptions."
This weekend marks the first of 15 weekends to be impacted, including the whole month of October, as the April 2019 shutdown looms closer.
Commuters who have already been affected by the changes advise others to leave plenty of extra time for travel.
Shuttle buses, additional train service and local bus service are available as travel alternatives to commuters.