"R" train service extended to Whitehall Street - Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

Broadway "R" service is extended to Whitehall Street beginning as of 6:00 a.m. on Monday operating south of 34th Street for the first time since Superstorm Sandy.

The storm left millions of gallons of corrosive salt water in several subway stations and under river tubes. 

"The resumption of service to the Whitehall Street station will restore a vital link to midtown's west side for Staten Islanders and also ease crowding along the Lexington Avenue Line," said Governor Cuomo.  

Transit workers accomplished the enormous task of repairing and replacing track, third rail, communications systems, pumping equipment, electrical feeds and controls in order to bring the Whitehall Street R station back on line. This will allow MTA to extend R train service from 34th Street to Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan easing the burden on the Lexington Avenue Line. 

MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph Lhota stated, "Transit workers continue to work around the clock to bring the Montague Tube back online, which will complete the R Line link from lower Manhattan to Downtown Brooklyn."  

Customers should be aware that only one escalator at this deep station is in operation. The escalator at the north end of the station (Stone Street entrance) had previously been removed from service for replacement and remains out. The two escalators at the southern end sustained extensive damage in the wake of the storm but one has been restored to service. Customers who have difficulty climbing stairs are urged to consider using the Rector Street R station instead.  

Much work remains in order to restore the Montague Tube which carries R trains between lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn. Workers are repairing and replacing hundreds of signal relays, track switches, stop motors and electrical wiring. Service to Brooklyn is expected by late December.