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October 13, 2017
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Integral East Side Access Work at Harold Interlocking This FallLIRR Weekend Schedule Changes in Effect Oct. 14-15; Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 11-12
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This weekend, the Long Island Rail Road will perform testing of a new signal system on existing, live tracks at Harold Interlocking in Queens – a pivotal step in the progress toward East Side Access, a project that will allow thousands of commuters to shorten their trips to and from Manhattan with a travel option to Grand Central Terminal at Park Avenue, instead of Penn Station, on the west side. This work is scheduled to coincide with other train schedule changes due to concrete tie work on the Babylon Branch, and therefore, reduce overall train service impacts.
The signal testing will continue on Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 11-12, prompting changes to the following branches all three weekends:
Port Jefferson Branch
Ronkonkoma Branch
Far Rockaway Branch
City Terminal Zone
Babylon Branch
*Note: Information on this concrete tie work was issued in a press release on Sept. 22. It is included in this press release to remind customers that this work is still ongoing, and that some additional trains have been affected.
On the Babylon Branch, LIRR crews are replacing wood ties with concrete ties between Freeport and Merrick. The work is being done under the LIRR’s 2017 Annual Track Program, an ongoing initiative designed to enhance future service, improve infrastructure, ensure safety and increase on-time performance.
During the weekends of Oct. 14-15, Nov. 4-5 and Nov. 11-12, one of two main tracks will be out of service between Rockville Centre and Wantagh. Trains on the Babylon Branch will continue to operate in both directions, but will run on an hourly basis, reduced from every half hour, with stopping patterns revised on remaining trains.
Other Changes
Other changes on these weekends include some eastbound trains on the Huntington Branch that will stop at Forest Hills and Kew Gardens. Some Patchogue, Speonk and Montauk Branch trains will be running on adjusted schedules and have alternate connections at Jamaica or Babylon. Some eastbound Oyster Bay connections from Penn Station, Kew Gardens and Forest Hills will also change; trains will depart three minutes earlier at Penn Station and five minutes earlier at Kew Gardens and Forest Hills.
Customers should refer to special timetables posted on the MTA website for specific train times.
Stay Informed Through Many Methods
Information about the additional service noted in this press release and all planned service changes is available through the LIRR’s real-time service information sources:
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 Train Time app – Customers who use the LIRR Train Time app will see up-to-the-minute status for each upcoming train at each station. As a caution, trains that start out their trips on time may experience delays en route.
MTA.info – The rail tab of the “Service Status” box at the left side of www.MTA.infois always the definitive source for the latest status for each branch, updated every minute. In addition, customers can visit www.mta.info/lirrto see special service notices in the upper center of the page.
@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.
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