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Service Diversions 09-03-10

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2010 at 4:38 pm

I just updated the “Service Diversions” page with the latest diversions for this weekend, next week, & beyond in some cases. The next update will be sometime after 5:01 AM Tuesday when all of the weekend diversions are removed & the ones for the week move up the list.

LIRR riders who plan on going out to destinations east of Ronkonkoma or Speonk, read this entry with early information about potential service or lack thereof stemming from Hurricane Earl. I will be posting any & all updates I receive from the LIRR. So keep checking in here for the lates.

I suggest you print out a copy of the page to carry with you or use any mobile device to access the phone-friendly version of Transit Blogger. For those on Long Island, stay safe during the potentially damaging weather & lastly everyone try to stay cool & as always, have safe travels!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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0

Rockaway Station Rehab Schedule Update

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2010 at 4:37 pm

Almost 1 year ago, MTA NYC Transit started on a $117 million rehabilitation project for the 9 subway stations in the Rockaways. The project from what I have seen & heard has been going well. Hot off the presses within the last 10 minutes, the agency has provided an updated schedule of the rehabilitation projects:

Our ongoing rehabilitations of stations in the Rockaways continue. The Manhattan-bound A platforms at Beach 25th, Beach 44th and Beach 67th Streets are scheduled to close for rehabilitation at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 until the fall of 2011. Also, the Rockaway Park-bound A S platforms at Beach 90th and Beach 105th Streets will close until spring 2011.

The work includes installing new canopies over the stairs and platforms, repairing the platforms, columns, stairs and tracks, redesigning area around station booth for easier access to trains, replacing the mezzanine and platform floors, replacing the stations’ lighting and platform edges, and installing a new, high-quality public address system.

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0

Rush Hour 5 Train Bronx Exp. Service Restored

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2010 at 4:26 pm

5 Train
Dyre Avenue bound 5 train leaving the Morris Park station. Resized photo courtesy of Eye On Transit.

The last few months have seemed extra painful for Bronx riders who use the 5 train during either rush hour period due to express service being suspended. As I noted in March, express service was to be suspended for 18 months due to the rehabilitation of the 180th St station & the $280 million East 180th Street signal modernization project.

Just a short time ago, MTA NYC Transit surprisingly announced that Bronx rush hour express service will be restored as of this Tuesday & lasting until March 2011. Here are the complete details from the press release I received:

MTA New York City Transit officials announced that beginning Tuesday, September 7 and continuing for seven months through March 2011, weekday rush hour 5 express service will be restored in the Bronx.

5 trains will again run express in the peak direction during morning (southbound) and afternoon (northbound) rush hours between East 180th Street and 3rd Avenue-149th Street. Service in Brooklyn and Manhattan remains unchanged, and 2 trains continue to serve Bronx local stops at all times.

This service had been operating local since March 2010 in order to support two projects on the 2 5 lines in the Bronx – the ongoing East 180th Street signal modernization project and the East 180th Street station rehabilitation.

By rescheduling planned work, 5 express service can be temporarily reinstated until April 2011. At that time, 5 service will again operate local in the Bronx until August 2011. Work on these projects will also cause weekend service changes to occur.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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2

Early Word On Sat. East End LIRR Service

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2010 at 4:15 pm

During the wee hours of this morning, I posted an entry about the Long Island Rail Road suspending service east of Ronkonkoma & Speonk due to Hurricane Earl. The information contained in the press release I received focused on Friday only. Just a short time ago, the LIRR sent me another press release with early information about Saturday’s possible service plan:

Before heading out to the East End on Saturday, LIRR customers are strongly urged to check the LIRR’s website for the latest information on LIRR service to the East End.

If there is minimal damage to our tracks on the East End, the LIRR is hoping to restore train service to the Hamptons and Montauk with the regularly scheduled 8:08 AM Saturday train from Jamaica to Montauk.

In order to restore this service, the LIRR will need to assess any storm-related damage late Friday night into early Saturday morning before deciding when service can resume on Saturday. The LIRR’s goal is to resume service as soon as possible on Saturday morning, depending on the extent of the storm damage. Even if there is no, or minimal, damage from the storm – such as fallen trees on the tracks, downed wires, power outages and flooding – it may take between 6 and 8 hours to reactivate crossing gates after the storm passes.

Friday Service to the East End Suspended

MTA Long Island Rail Road service to the East End of Long Island is suspended on Friday, September 3 for safety reasons related to the forecast of Hurricane Earl bringing sustained winds of 40 mph (with gusts of up to 60 mph), heavy rains and possible flooding.

Throughout the day Friday, LIRR train service will remain suspended east of Speonk on the Montauk Branch and east of Ronkonkoma on the Main Line, which normally takes customers to Greenport and Long Island’s North Fork.

Update on the Montauk Branch: The 5:09 PM train from Penn Station will not be canceled today, as earlier reported. This train will operate, but will terminate at Speonk at 7:18 PM. The LIRR’s website contains the details of LIRR storm-related service changes.

LIRR service west of Ronkonkoma and west of Speonk is expected to operate on a normal schedule.

The eight early getaway trains between 2:02 PM and 3:48 PM scheduled from Penn Station heading east on Friday will continue to operate to Babylon, Great Neck, Far Rockaway, Hicksville and Huntington.

These service changes are being made for three reasons:

• Safety of Our Customers: Suspension of service helps to ensure that no customers will be put at risk or stranded due to flooding or fallen trees.

• Protection of Our Equipment and Facilities: The LIRR will be securing 79 grade crossings on the East End in advance of the storm in an effort to avoid damage to crossings gates that can be sustained during high winds. Flooding is also a concern as the LIRR maintains storage yard facilities at both Greenport and Montauk Stations.

• Faster Recovery Time: By securing gates and other equipment in advance, the LIRR anticipates a quicker recovery time from any storm related damage and better service for customers throughout the holiday weekend.

While forecasters expect Hurricane Earl to weaken significantly as it proceeds north, they indicate that the East End should be prepared for Tropical Storm level winds and rain – strong enough to down trees and power lines and cause considerable flooding.

The LIRR will continue to monitor the storm closely and is in close contact with Nassau, Suffolk, New York City and New York State emergency officials.

In any storm situation, the LIRR’s storm safety policy is to begin to limit or suspend service as necessary once winds reach a sustained speed of 39 miles per hour, or what the LIRR calls “Zero Hour.” This policy is designed to ensure the safety of LIRR customers, employees and the Railroad’s equipment and infrastructure, including electric and diesel rolling stock and over 700 miles of track stretching from Manhattan to Montauk.

I will continue to post information as I receive it.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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1

LIRR Suspends Service To East End Due To Earl

Posted by
on September 3rd, 2010 at 3:21 am

The potential damage that could stem from Hurricane Earl is a very serious matter to many including the MTA Long Island Rail Road. Late yesterday, the LIRR announced that due to safety concerns stemming from the storm, they will suspend all service east of Ronkonkoma & Speonk. Here are the complete details courtesy of the press release I received:

MTA Long Island Rail Road will suspend service on Friday to the East End of Long Island for safety reasons as forecasters are calling for Hurricane Earl to bring sustained winds of 40 mph (with gusts of up to 60 mph), heavy rains and possible flooding.

The LIRR will suspend train service east of Speonk on the Montauk Branch and east of Ronkonkoma on the Main Line, which normally takes customers to Greenport and Long Island’s North Fork.

LIRR service west of Ronkonkoma and west of Speonk will operate on a normal schedule. In addition, eight early getaway trains between 2:02 PM and 3:48 PM scheduled from Penn Station heading east on Friday will continue to operate to Babylon, Great Neck, Far Rockaway, Hicksville and Huntington.

These service changes are being made for three reasons:

• Safety of Our Customers: Suspension of service helps to ensure that no customers will be put at risk or stranded due to flooding or fallen trees.

• Protection of Our Equipment and Facilities: The LIRR will be securing 79 grade crossings on the East End in advance of the storm in an effort to avoid damage to crossings gates that can be sustained during high winds. Flooding is also a concern as the LIRR maintains storage yard facilities at both Greenport and Montauk Stations.

• Faster Recovery Time: By securing gates and other equipment in advance, the LIRR anticipates a quicker recovery time from any storm related damage and better service for customers throughout the holiday weekend.

The last eastbound train to Montauk will leave Penn Station at 12:39 AM Friday morning and arrive in Montauk at 3:57 AM. The last train traveling westbound to Penn Station is scheduled to leave Montauk at 5:39 AM and arrive at Penn Station at 8:42 AM.

The last westbound train will leave Greenport at 5:30 AM Friday morning.

LIRR service to the East End will operate as scheduled Thursday afternoon and evening.

Customers who commute to New York City daily from stations east of Speonk and Ronkonkoma should be aware that LIRR service would not be available to bring them home from work on Friday afternoon.

The LIRR will assess any storm related damage late Friday night before deciding on when service can resume on Saturday. The LIRR’s goal is to resume service as soon as possible on Saturday morning, depending on the extent of the storm damage. It may take between 6 and 8 hours to reactivate gates after the storm passes.

Hurricane Earl is presently a Category 4 hurricane situated off the coast of North Carolina with sustained winds of 140 MPH. While forecasters expect the Earl to weaken significantly as it proceeds north, they say the East End should be prepared for Tropical Storm level winds and rain, strong enough to down trees and power lines and cause considerable flooding.

The LIRR will continue to monitor the storm closely and is in close contact with Nassau, Suffolk, New York City and New York State emergency officials.

In any storm situation, the LIRR’s storm safety policy is to begin to limit or suspend service as necessary once winds reach a sustained speed of 39 miles per hour, or what the LIRR calls “Zero Hour.” This policy is designed to ensure the safety of LIRR customers, employees and the Railroad’s equipment and infrastructure, including electric and diesel rolling stock and over 700 miles of track stretching from Manhattan to Montauk.

As a result, the following trains are being canceled on Friday:

Eastbound Friday-only Montauk Trains Canceled – Friday, September 3

• 1:50 PM from Penn Station due to arrive in Montauk at 4:45 PM.

• 3:58 PM from Penn Station due to arrive in Montauk at 6:48 PM.

• 5:09 PM from Penn Station due to arrive at Montauk at 8:29 PM.

• 7:11 PM from Penn Station due to arrive at Montauk at 10:10 PM.

—-

All other regularly scheduled Montauk trains will either terminate or originate at Speonk, as detailed below:

Eastbound regularly scheduled Montauk trains terminating at Speonk – Fri., Sept. 3

• 7:39 AM from Penn Station, due to arrive in Montauk at 10:53 AM will terminate at Speonk at 9:44 AM.

• 11:06 AM from Penn Station, due to arrive in Montauk at 2:19 PM will terminate at Speonk at 1:10 PM.

• 4:15 PM AM from Penn Station, due to arrive in Montauk at 7:35 PM will terminate at Speonk at 6:24 PM.

• 5:51 PM from Penn Station, due to arrive in Montauk at 9:07 PM will terminate at Speonk at 7:55 PM.

• 8:30 PM from Penn Station, due to arrive in Montauk at 11:57 PM will terminate at Speonk at 10:30 PM.

—-

Westbound regularly scheduled Montauk trains originating from Speonk – Fri., Sept. 3

• 11:22 AM from Montauk will originate from Speonk at 12:42 PM, arriving Penn Station at 2:44 PM.

• 2:51 PM from Montauk will originate from Speonk at 4:14 PM, arriving Penn Station at 6:20 PM.

• 10:38 PM from Montauk will originate from Speonk at 12:03 AM, arriving Penn Station at 2:02 AM

I will post any breaking info as I receive it from the agency.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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