Since theMTA formally confirm this summerthat the L train will be close down between Bedford Ave in Brooklyn and Eighth Ave in Manhattan   for 18 months of repairs commence   January 2019 , there ’s been much talk of alternative traveling methods for the nearly   250,000 riders that will be displaced . Some possible melodic theme have   includedadditional railway car and extended serviceon the   J , G , and M trains;a Bus Rapid Transit systemusing Uber ’s technology ; aninflatable tunnelover the East River ; and , perhaps even crazy , a car - free fourteenth St , keep it clear to busses , footer , and bikes only .

In July , Mayor   Bill de Blasio saidthe car - free 14th St idea would be looked into , a notion that theMTA seemed to echo last month . MTA spokeswoman Beth DeFalco told theNew York Daily Newsthe thoroughgoing operation of " map out traffic flowing exemplar for the city and theoretical account for ridership overall " would be completed next spring . So , to speed thing alongwe put our heads together to imagineexactly what a automobile - free 14th St , specially around Union Square , would calculate like . Would there be food for thought cart warfare between all the halal and live dog fend ? Would pedestrians have to fight their way past street hockey game , cheat instrumentalist , and even more " Free Hugs " guys than normal ? leave behind tube - railcar - less , would the Mariachi bands and " Showtime " guys take their craft to the streets ?

After all these eld , the " Showtime " guys in the end get the stage they deserve .

car-less 14th street L-train shut down nyc illustration

Jason Hoffman/Thrillist

undecided parking spots means tons of room for hot click stands , halal cart , and Nuts 4 Nuts trucks . But could that run to a full - on food go-cart war ?

Welcome to your new Tour de France training place ! Just please , watch out for the hoverboarders making their way west .

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car-less 14th street L train shutdown solution nyc illustration

Jason Hoffman/Thrillist

car-less 14th street L train shutdown solution nyc illustration

Jason Hoffman/Thrillist

car-free 14th street l train shutdown illustration

Jason Hoffman/Thrillist