Judge Throws Out Lawsuit Looking To Limit L Train Work: Report

CHELSEA, NY — They've got no L-ternative.

A coalition of Manhattanites lost their legal bid to limit construction hours for the 15-month L train shutdown slated for Spring and the installation of bike lanes related to the project, reported the New York Post.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Franc Perry shot down a request Tuesday from Chelsea, West Village and Soho community groups who sought to restrict construction of tunnels along East 14th Street from 16 to 12 hours per day. But their suit to delay the shutdown until the MTA completes an environmental review is still pending, the Post reported.

Those who live around the 14th Street construction zone in Manhattan have long-panned transit officials plan to repair the Canarsie Tunnel that was damaged during Hurricane Sandy, citing noise and air pollution concerns from dust and debris during construction.

The shafts that the groups hoped to limit construction hours for will grant access to the Canaries Tunnel that runs from Brooklyn, under the East River and across Manhattan.

MTA attorney Philip Karmel argued that it "is absolutely critical to get the Canarsie Tunnel repaired" as quickly as possible and that delays could lead to "further degradation of L train service" or "the L train to be shut down indefinitely," the Post reported.

Perry ultimately ruled in favor of the city and the MTA. He also set a November hearing to review the coalition of locals' case to delay the shutdown pending an environmental review on how the boost of diesel buses traveling through the area as an alternative to the L train will impact air quality, among other concerns.

Photo courtesy of Kathleen Culliton