Cell Service Added To L Train's Canarsie Tunnel: Cuomo

L TRAIN CORRIDOR, NYC — Brooklyn straphangers won't have to look up from their phones the entire ride into Manhattan thanks to new cell service that has been added to the L train's Canarsie Tunnel, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday.

A project to bring cellular connectivity to the Brooklyn-Manhattan subway line's trip underwater was finished this week, making the Canarsie Tunnel the first under-river tunnel in the New York City subway system to get cell service, Cuomo said.

The announcement comes about eight months after Cuomo first announced plans to bring cell service to the L train and four months after a massive repair project to the tunnel wrapped up.

"The L Line project was proof that when we are confronted with a challenge we can build back better and stronger," Cuomo said. "We challenged those who said this project couldn't be done, and as a result, the MTA has delivered a more resilient tunnel with 21st century technology."

The project "piggybacked" off of the year-long L train repairs, which finished in April, meaning crews were able to add the broadband system without shutting down service again, transit officials said.

There does appear to be a catch, though. The system will be run by Transit Wireless, meaning only AT&T customers can use their phones and other devices through the tunnel, according to Cuomo's announcement.

Transit Wireless is the same company that outfitted MTA's underground stations with connectivity.

The MTA is set to receive revenue from the L train cell service connection and the project came at no cost to the Authority, Cuomo's office said.