Port Washington Branch Service Affected By East Side Access Work
The LIRR just issued another press release within the last couple of minutes. The release which should hit their site sometime today was to announce that service on the Port Washington Branch will be affected due to track work related to the East Side Access project. Here are the complete details:
The MTA Long Island Rail Road is completing the work to install a new switch and track configuration (called Wood Interlocking) just east of the East River Tunnels in Sunnyside, Queens, during the weekends of November 1-2 and November 8-9. The construction work is an important part of the East Side Access Project that will eventually bring MTA Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal.
“In order to meet our future service needs, especially those linked to our East Side Access Project, the Wood Interlocking work is vital to the railroad’s successful operations,” said LIRR President Helena Williams.
During the weekend of November 1-2, Kew Gardens, Forest Hills and Woodside customers will use temporary platforms to board and disembark from their trains. During the weekend of November 8-9, most Port Washington Branch customers will take # 7 subway service to complete their trips.
Weekend of November 1-2:
As part of the work, two of four tracks between Jamaica and Harold Interlocking (just east of the East River Tunnels) will be out of service for this weekend. Temporary platforms will be installed at Kew Gardens, Forest Hills and Woodside Stations. No other service impacts are anticipated.
Weekend of November 8-9:
Both tracks between Harold Interlocking (just east of the East River Tunnels) and Shea Stadium on the Port Washington Branch will be taken out of service for this weekend. Most Port Washington Branch customers will take the NYCT # 7 Subway train to complete their trips as follows:
Eastbound:
Customers may take LIRR service from Penn Station to Woodside where they will have a free transfer to the NYCT # 7 Line for service to Willets Point/Shea Stadium and then transfer back to LIRR Port Washington Branch service to points east. Or customers can choose to take the NYCT # 7 Line directly to Willets Point/Shea Stadium from Manhattan where they can transfer back to LIRR Port Washington Branch service to points east. Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 41 minutes.
Westbound:
Customers boarding at stations Port Washington through Flushing-Main Street will board their regularly scheduled trains at their stations and then transfer at Shea Stadium to NYC Transit’s # 7 Line for service to Grand Central Terminal. Or customers can choose to transfer back to the LIRR for service to Penn Station. Customers should anticipate increased travel time of up to 58 minutes.
Affected customers should obtain a copy of the special November 8-9 Port Washington Branch timetable at their station or at Penn Station. Customers can also contact the LIRR’s 24-hour Travel Information Center in New York City at 718-217-LIRR, in Nassau County at 516-822-LIRR or in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR. The Travel Information Center’s TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022. Customers can also consult the LIRR website at www.mta.info.
xoxo Transit Blogger
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[…] release that the Long Island Rail Road sent to me in regards to Port Washington branch service being effected due to East Side Access related track work. Service was to be effected for the first two weekends in November. While I was out, they sent a […]