BREAKING NEWS: Commuters who rely on the Clark Street 2 & 3 subway station in Brooklyn Heights will need to make alternative travel arrangements as the MTA has announced a full station closure for approximately eight months. This closure is necessary to expedite the replacement of all three elevators at the station simultaneously.
The Clark Street Station is a unique “cavern station,” meaning access is solely dependent on elevators. Recognizing the significant disruption a prolonged, phased repair schedule would cause, the MTA has opted for a complete closure to minimize the overall construction time. Outgoing New York City Transit President Andy Byford stated, “This plan reduces the length of construction time at Clark Street to just eight months, and eliminates uncertainty for our customers. We strongly feel our approach minimizes the impact that this disruption will cause.” The contract for this vital infrastructure project is slated to be awarded later this year, with construction commencing in the following year. Specific start and end dates will be released after the contract is finalized.
While the subway station itself will be closed, the upper level of the Clark Street station will remain accessible, ensuring continued access to local businesses situated within the station building. The MTA has also pledged to implement measures to lessen the impact of the station closure on these businesses. For commuters and residents, alternative subway access points include the High Street A & C station and the Borough Hall-Court Street station, serving the 2, 3, 4, 5 & R lines. The B25 bus line will connect Clark Street to these alternative stations, running between the High Street station on Cadman Plaza West and Borough Hall.
The Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA) has been actively engaged with the MTA to advocate for community needs during this period. While acknowledging that many residents initially preferred the station to remain partially open even with a longer repair timeline, the BHA is now focused on mitigating the negative consequences of the full closure. A key area of advocacy is the B25 bus service. Although shuttle buses were deemed unsuitable due to the narrow residential streets of Brooklyn Heights, the BHA is strongly pushing for increased frequency of the B25 bus, particularly during evening and overnight hours, to accommodate those unable or unwilling to walk to Borough Hall.
Another primary concern for the BHA, and the Brooklyn Heights community, is the potential economic impact on local businesses within the Clark Street station. With a significant reduction in foot traffic anticipated during the closure, the BHA is collaborating with the MTA to ensure local businesses are included in outreach and support initiatives. Community support will be crucial to the survival of these businesses during the construction period, and the BHA plans to announce initiatives to encourage residents to continue patronizing these local merchants.
Finally, the BHA is urging the MTA to proactively maintain the functionality of neighboring subway stations, especially the High Street station. Ensuring that escalators and other infrastructure at stations like High Street are fully operational is paramount to accommodate the increased passenger volume expected during the Clark Street station closure. Past issues with broken escalators at High Street must be avoided to ensure smooth and reliable transit access for the community.
For further details, you can refer to the official MTA press release.
