This low-hanging bridge, which is currently 11’6”, has been the site of many accidents over the years by trucks striking the bridge, resulting in train delays in both directions while LIRR crews worked to determine the bridge’s safety and structural stability before restoring train service. Bridges below 14 feet are vulnerable to bridge strikes: in 2016, there were 20 bridge strikes in Nassau County, illustrating the need to improve the safety and reliability for both vehicles and LIRR passengers by replacing low-hanging bridges. The new bridge will be 14’ high, which will allow trucks to safely pass underneath.

 

This effort is part of the broader LIRR Expansion Project from Floral Park to Hicksville, which began in 2018. For more information on LIRR’s capital projects, visit a modernli.com

 

As a result of this work there will be no Main Line service between New Hyde Park and Hicksville for the weekend of Oct. 5-6.

 

Westbound customers on the Ronkonkoma Branch travelling from stations Ronkonkoma through Farmingdale, and on the Port Jefferson Branch for stations Port Jefferson/Huntington through Hicksville, will board trains at their station to Hicksville, where they will transfer to diesel shuttle trains operating between Hicksville and Babylon via the Central Branch, then transfer at Babylon to express trains for western terminals.

 

Customers at Bethpage customers will board the diesel shuttle train to Babylon, then transfer at Babylon to express trains for western terminals.

 

Customers traveling from western terminals to Ronkonkoma Branch stations Farmingdale through Ronkonkoma, and to Port Jefferson Branch stations Hicksville through Huntington and Port Jefferson, will be able to board electric express service to Babylon, where they will

transfer to diesel shuttle trains operating between Babylon and Hicksville via the Central Branch, then transfer at Hicksville to trains operating to either Ronkonkoma or Huntington/Port Jefferson.

 

Customers for Bethpage will board the electric express service to Babylon, then transfer to the diesel shuttle train, which will stop at Bethpage on its way to Hicksville.

 

Oyster Bay Branch diesel service will operate between Oyster Bay and Mineola.

 

Bus service will be provided for Oyster Bay and Mineola customers between Mineola and Hempstead. NICE bus will be cross-honoring LIRR tickets on the N40/N41 routes between Mineola and Hempstead. Additionally, NICE bus will be cross-honoring LIRR tickets on the N22/N24 lines between Mineola and Hicksville.

 

Extra trains have been added between Hempstead and Penn Station to serve as an alternative service option for customers traveling to/from New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, and Westbury. Extra trains have been added between New York and Babylon to connect with shuttle trains between Babylon and Hicksville.

 

There will be normal weekend service intervals on the Montauk, Long Beach, Far Rockaway, Port Washington, and West Hempstead Greenport Branches, but on adjusted schedules.

 

 

Information about the planned schedule change noted in this press release, and all planned service changes, is available through the LIRR’s real-time service information sources.

myLIRR.org - Customers can see real-time positions of upcoming trains in real time, on a smartphone-optimized map that refreshes every 3- to 5-seconds, by logging into myLIRR.org, which is optimized for smartphone screens.

 

MYmta app & MTA.info – Customers who use the new, comprehensive MYmta app will see real-time travel information for the LIRR and connecting services all in one place, with push notifications when service is not operating normally. As a caution, trains that start out their trips on time may experience delays en route. The LIRR Train Time app also remains available for customers to access LIRR train information. The rail tab of the “Service Status” box at new.MTA.info is always the definitive source for the latest status for each branch, updated every minute.

 

Email and text message service updates – Customers are urged to sign up to receive the alerts by visiting MyMTAAlerts.com. To avoid unwanted messages, a user can tailor the messages to the specific branch, and the specific times of day.

 

@LIRR on Twitter – Twitter users can follow @LIRR to receive updates of a similar nature to the email and text alerts, shortened to fit Twitter’s format.

 

The above communications channels can be accessed while at home or on the go. For customers who are located at stations, the LIRR will post the latest service updates on digital signs at station platforms and will make audio announcements over public address systems, and on-board announcements made by train crews.

 

For those who prefer the telephone, information is available from the LIRR’s Customer Service Center by calling 511, the New York State Travel Information Line, and saying: “Long Island Rail Road.” Those who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred service provider for the free 711 relay to reach the LIRR at 511.