The M train is back in action.
Train service resumed between Myrtle-Wyckoff and Myrtle-Broadway Avenue stations at 5 a.m. today after the MTA completed an eight-month project to restore the Myrtle Viaduct and Fresh Pond Bridge, which are both over a century old.
The $163 million project revamped decrepit structures along the M line, which connects Bushwick and Queens; installed low-vibration tracks to reduce noise for nearby properties; added new third rails and stronger, newly engineered track ties; and replaced all local signal equipment and cables. The restorative work was also done to increase M train service during the L train shutdown slated for April 2019.
There is still speculation about whether a souped-up M train is the answer to the woes of around 225,000 riders who will be displaced during the shutdown. Commuters today tweeted out some disheartening stuff:
Everyone’s saying the #Mtrain is in full service today, but I just waited 40 minutes, @NYGovCuomo fix the #mta, or at least try to?
— Matt Lombardi (@lom_matt_bardi) April 30, 2018
@NYCTSubway 13 min waiting for a M train at Essex. Why do we pay you? Maybe next time don’t dump millions in to Fulton st station and use that to fix the signal and infrastructure of the subway. #wastedmoney
— MA (@MarcAntoni1985) April 30, 2018
@NYCTSubway Wow. First Manhattan bound M train in 9 months is late. Imagine that.
— TInyc (@theinvisiblenyc) April 30, 2018
Others were more positive:
@NYCTSubway M train is back. Running smooth. Construction completed on time. Well done.#amny
— Martin Friedrichs (@M_Friedrichs) April 30, 2018
Excellent to see a completed large scale project by MTA New York City Transit. On Time & On Budget. The people of Brooklyn and Queens are very happy. (M) train now running from Middle Village, Queens to Forest Hills, Queens via Brooklyn & Manhattan.
— Donovan (@nycdonovan) April 30, 2018