See, The Thing Is Was . . .

If you found it problematic getting from Manhattan to Brooklyn on the Lexington Avenue line yesterday, rest assured that it was only this way because of a fraction of an inch:

Work crews involved in a major overhaul of the Wall St. station on the Lexington Ave. line installed temporary ceiling beams and panels too low — causing some trains to scrape against them.

The Transit Authority slowed trains before finally halting service for four hours so repairs could be made.

No. 4 train service was suspended in both directions, from Nevins St. to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, about 2 p.m.

“Rider safety was never in jeopardy because of this incident,” TA spokesman Charles Seaton said. “It was just a fraction of an inch too low. It never came in contact with the front of any train, only certain sections of the roof, on a limited number of cars.”