MTA construction controversy on the M line

Meanwhile, some Brooklyn businesses are expressing frustration about MTA construction near them

That's right. They say that it's costing them customers. Fox says Duarte Gildino is in Bushwick with a look at all of this controversy

You can't miss it. A massive gray tarp stretches along the M line in Bushwick covering noisy construction

They start early in the morning by like 6 o'clock, maybe 5.30. The noise goes on all day till they're done, probably till like 5 or 6 in the afternoon

Christali helps manage Zatar Cafe. She says the noise, the dust, and the smell of paint keep customers away

The smell, you're smelling all, like, paint smells, like all these toxic smells

I get it they're working on it, but it's bad to inhale all of it, right

Construction like this has been going on along Myrtle Avenue for months now. The MTA says it's using a special type of paint and a new steelwork process

designed to save hundreds of millions of dollars and last for decades

meaning fewer disruptions in the future even if for right now it stings The work began in February with a four timeline Months later business owners like Saddam say they never seen it this bad even during the

pandemic. The money I make is only just to pay and buy stuff. It's not like before when you make

good amount, you can cover everything, bills, rent. I couldn't buy even the electric bill

The MTA says it's working to reduce the impact. In a statement to Fox 5, a spokesperson wrote

The M-Line is the anchor for dozens of businesses. The upgrades crews are making will last three times longer than they used to

meaning we won't have to do it again until the 2050s. The MTA insists flyers go out regularly with updates and access to stores has stayed open

But many business owners say the damage is already done. The customer no more coming here because this people you see outside

a lot of construction and close the road and close the street

you know, I can't be rent. My business go down. The MTA says this stretch of the M-line should be done by summer 2026

In Bushwick, Duarte Teraldino, Fox 5 News