The MTA’s proposed map of changes, published in the 20-Year Needs AssessmentThe MTA says Nostrand Junction, where these lines come together in Crown Heights, “has been a known bottleneck since the 1960’s.” The constant switching between tracks means that train delays easily happen at the station, as anyone using these stations can attest. Which impacts service reliability on these lines throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

“Brooklyn deserves more frequent and reliable service,” President of MTA Construction & Development Jamie Torres-Springer told Chabadinfo in a statement. “And this capital plan will move dozens of projects closer to delivering it. We’re ready to deliver improvements to Nostrand Junction better, faster, and cheaper.”

The MTA added that the “ultimate service plan is still in the planning phase. And it would provide more reliable service to over 285,000 weekday riders, saving the average rider more than a minute of travel time. The MTA said it “will implement the most cost-effective way to alleviate this chokepoint, while also boosting reliability and enhancing operations throughout the system.”

Recently, the MTA put a revamp of the crossing in the 20-Year Needs Assessment it published in 2023. Now, MTA leaders have added a version of it in their 2025-2029 capital plan.

“If you live in Central Brooklyn (or even if you don’t) you know about the ‘Crown Heights Cluster.’” State Senator and mayoral candidate Zellnor Myrie (who represents Crown Heights) said on X. “Pleased the MTA Capital Plan includes money to fix this bottleneck so more NYers can get to school, work and appointments on time.”

Speaking of service patterns, the MTA is in the draft phase of redesigning Brooklyn’s bus network — which Chabadinfo first reported on in 2023 — which would overhaul bus lines across Brooklyn, including rerouting the southbound B43 along Albany instead of Brooklyn Ave. and adding the B10 along Empire Blvd. Additionally, the northbound B49 would run along New York Ave and the northbound B44 local will run along Rogers Ave.

The MTA also plans on phasing out the iconic orange seat cars on the 3 line with new train cars. They are scheduled to remain in service until the late 2020s, when they will likely be replaced with the new technology trains “R262” models. Other number lines may also get these upgrades, depending on how the MTA utilizes them.

In the just passed capital program, the MTA is in the midst of planning the “Interborough Express,” a new train line between Brooklyn and Queens which would connect the communities of Flatbush, Boro Park, and Crown Heights. Additionally, The MTA is also evaluating whether to construct a Subway line down Utica Avenue, but that isn’t in the current plans.

This post was updated with a response from the MTA.