Nor'easter Causes Mass Transit Concerns For Tuesday Commute
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The powerful nor'easter making its way across the Tri-state area continues to cause massive headaches for rail riders and air travellers alike.
Photos taken by passengers from inside Hoboken Terminal show train tracks that look more like ponds, with rails completely covered in flood waters. Commuters complain they've been stuck in some spots for hours.
PHOTOS: Nor'Easter Leaves Tri-State Area Soaked
NJ TRANSIT says significant delays are expected to continue for the remainder of the Monday service day due to worsening storm conditions and earlier weather related damage.
Downed overhead wires east of Linden station wreaked havoc along NJ TRANSIT's Northeast Corridor line, where service was suspended in both directions between New York Penn Station and Trenton for several hours Monday afternoon. Amtrak also temporarily suspended service for the Northeast Regional and Acela Express trains traveling along the corridor.
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Down wires near Linden currently causing suspension on #NEC & #NJCL. We're cross honoring systemwide. PATH & private bus accepting rail tix. pic.twitter.com/yg7mnVQzcQ
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) January 23, 2017
North Jersey Coast Line rail service was suspended between Penn Station and Long Branch due to the same wire issues.
The Linden Police Department said around 3:15 p.m. high winds caused a high-tension power line to fall on the tracks near Linden station. Nobody was injured, but the Linden Fire Department evacuated one business along the 400 block of Pennsylvania Railroad Avenue due to their close proximity to the downed wire.
Amtrak personnel worked to clear the wires as quickly as possible, however power was lost to the signal system in the area, forcing trains to proceed at dramatically reduced speeds throughout the area.
NJ TRANSIT says customers may experience delays during the Tuesday morning rush hour if Amtrak crews are unable to restore the signal system overnight.
Customers will experience major delays due to
— NJ TRANSIT (@NJTRANSIT) January 23, 2017
significantly restricted speed thru Linden from earlier PSE&G downed wire
impacting signals.
PATH accepted NJ TRANSIT rail tickets and passes at Herald Square, Newark Penn Station, and Hoboken Terminal. Systemwide cross honoring was in effect on all NJ TRANSIT bus, rail, and light rail trains to accommodate any riders in need.
The Long Island Rail Road's Port Washington dealt with residual delays after it was suspended in both directions between the Port Washington and Great Neck stations due to a fallen utility pole caused by high winds near Plandome. The LIRR accommodated riders with bus service in both directions as they worked to restore service.
Some flights at LaGuardia Airport have been canceled and the number of delays are growing as conditions worsen, with an average delay of two hours. At John F. Kennedy airport, delays are just over an hour while at Newark, there are delays averaging two and a half hours.
The weather has forced the suspension of Newark Liberty International Airport's AirTrain service. Buses are shuttling passengers between parking lots and Newark airport terminals.
Travelers are being urged to check with their carriers before heading to the airport.
In southern New Jersey, service between Philadelphia's 30th Street Station and Cherry Hill was suspended when the Delair Bridge became stuck in the open position.
PATCO trains were cross-honoring NJ TRANSIT tickets.
Officials canceled all Cape May-Lewes ferry trips on Monday because of the high winds and rough seas. The boats ply the waters between Cape May in New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware.
Stick with CBSNewYork for more on this developing weather story.