LIRR: Rush Hour Service Disruptions Expected Through Friday As Crews Repair Damaged Track
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Long Island Rail Road is telling customers to expect peak hour delays through Friday as crews continue to repair a track that was damaged when a freight train derailed on Monday.
The LIRR canceled seven trains during the evening rush hour. It also ended one of the trains at Jamaica.
During the morning rush, 11 trains were canceled and five were diverted from Penn Station to Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn while four other trains only went as far as Jamaica.
Crews have been working since Monday to repair 3,700 feet of railroad track -- one of four main lines between Jamaica and Penn Station -- that was damaged when the train derailed.
On Tuesday, workers shifted around snow and ice to remove the disabled cars. Next, they'll have to replace 1,600 concrete ties.
"They are going to be ripping out just about every bit of the trackwork," said LIRR spokesman Salvatore Arena. "The tracks, the ties and the third rail along that route."
While the LIRR said they are working as quickly as possible to get service restored, many commuters still expressed frustrations about the disruptions.
"On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 9," said Tom Matthews of Port Jefferson. "Because I live in Port Jefferson and I come all the way in."
"It stinks there is nothing else I can do; no other way to get into the city," added Jason Rahimi of Great Neck.
New York City Transit is cross-honoring fares at Jamaica Station and Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center for customers traveling to Penn Station. Off-peak trains are not affected.
The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
For more information, visit mta.info.
