Residents of the Gowanus area will certainly applaud this piece of local Brooklyn news. As of the week of April 22nd, the Smith Street-9th Avenue subway station will reopen. The station, which was originally intended to be back up and running last December, has undergone structural and cosmetic changes over the past two years of reconstruction. Hurricane Sandy and issues with contractors pushed the opening back months and frustrated locals who rely on the station as one of their limited subway options.
The MTA’s assistant director of Government and Community Relations, Andrew Inglesby, assured members of the Community Board 6 that the station will resume full service no later than the week of April 22nd. According to Inglesby, “It’s painted, it’s restricted and nothing is falling down.” With a price tag of nearly $41 million, residents are expecting a fully renovated and completely functional station at the end of next month.
Additionally, the 4th Avenue station is also under construction and will be opening again sometime in May. Inglesby promised Brooklyn newspapers that these renovations will include opening up the overpass with windows and the outcome with be spectacular. Local residents are holding their breath in anticipation.