Winthrop Street Station Platform Shutting Down For 4 Months: MTA

PROSPECT-LEFFERTS GARDENS, BROOKLYN -- A Brooklyn subway station near two major hospitals is about to undergo a partial, four-month shutdown, officials announced.

The Winthrop Street 2 and 5 train station's southbound platform will shut down next Monday at 5 a.m. and stay closed until July, MTA officials announced.

Southbound 2 and 5 trains will skip Winthrop Street as the station undergoes a "rehabilitation," MTA notices show.

"This is a vital station for Kings County Hospital as well as SUNY Downstate Hospital," said New York Assemblywoman Diana C. Richardson in an online statement. "It is important that everyone helps to spread the word."

The station on Winthrop Street and Nostrand Avenue is also the primary stop for the George Wingate Educational Complex, which houses four public schools.

Local blogger Tim Thomas griped about the short notice on the shutdown on his site, The Q At Parkside.

"No roll out. Just here it is...a massive headache for you, dear subway rider," wrote Thomas on March 5. "Like, every single day all the time???

"Cold. Real cold."

Transit official suggested Winthrop Street commuters take either the B44 local or express on Flatbush Avenue.