An East River tunnel that carries one of New York City’s most crowded subway lines will be closed for a year and a half starting in January 2019.

Transit officials tell The New York Times that several alternatives are being considered for tens of thousands of L train riders between Manhattan and Brooklyn.

They include extra subway service on nearby lines and a new bus and ferry service. Cars also could be added to trains on the G line.

All five L train stops in Manhattan will close. L trains will continue to operate in Brooklyn between the Williamsburg and Canarsie neighborhoods.

The tunnel was badly damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

(AP)