October 10, 2016
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Governor Cuomo Announces LIRR to Restore Full Service in Time for Monday Afternoon Rush HourMTA and LIRR Crews Work Around the Clock to Repair Tracks and Conduct Necessary Inspections
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Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the Long Island Rail Road will resume full rush hour service this afternoon on the Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay Branches. Service on those branches was disrupted in the wake of a derailment east of New Hyde Park on Saturday night.
“The full restoration of service for Monday’s evening rush hour was made possible by the continuous efforts of the MTA and LIRR crews,” Governor Cuomo said. “I thank all of the employees who worked around the clock to restore train service so commuters can get where they need to go as easily and as efficiently as possible.”
Crews have been working non-stop since the derailment Saturday night, first using a crane to re-rail the derailed train and then moving it away from the site. They have also repaired damaged tracks and conducted the necessary inspections and tests to ensure that both tracks are safe for train travel.
At approximately 4:15 a.m., workers restored one of the Main Line’s two tracks in time for Monday morning’s rush hour, which allowed a resumption of limited, peak-direction train service. Eastbound service resumed at 9:15 a.m.
At 9:45 a.m. on Monday, the last of the cars from the derailed train were pulled away from the site. Workers have spent the hours since then inspecting the second track, making final repairs, and operating test trains to ensure the track is safe.
Workers have focused their attention today on repairing an intricate and cumbersome 25-foot segment of track near a switch that was damaged in the derailment. In fact, after the rush hour has concluded, workers will return to the site to perform additional permanent repairs that will allow trains to eliminate speed restrictions and allow trains to run at the usual maximum speed through this area.
Services Updates Available
The LIRR is urging its customers who use the three affected branches to gather information about transportation status and options on Monday morning before heading out. The LIRR will update customers in these ways:
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