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Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo seemingly rescued New York City from the L train shutdown on Jan. 3 by offering a last-minute solution. But two weeks later, no one knows what exactly is going to happen to the subway line.

Critics have pilloried the new repair plan over safety concerns. It is not clear how long the solution would last or when construction would begin. It might still need approval from federal and local officials.

Even one basic question has not been resolved: Is the shutdown really off?

The city’s transportation commissioner, Polly Trottenberg, asked subway officials on Tuesday what would happen if the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board votes no on changes to the L train contract.

“What would that mean — that the L train shutdown isn’t averted?” Ms. Trottenberg said at a special meeting of the board, which oversees the subway.