The Long Island Rail Road has restored full rush-hour service, bringing an end to the cancellations, delays and schedule changes that have afflicted commuters since Hurricane Sandy.
“Restoring full LIRR rush hour train service will provide relief to those customers that endured crowded conditions during peak periods due to the loss of tunnel capacity from the flooding effects of Superstorm Sandy,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in an LIRR press release. “I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak in restoring this crucial LIRR service.”
Amtrak has replaced an irreparably damaged signaling system in one of its East River tunnels, allowing increases in service for the LIRR trains that use Amtrak’s tunnel system, according to the release.
Prior to the installation of a new signal system, both of Amtrak’s East River tunnels were running at reduced capacity, causing the cancellations of dozens of trains on the Port Washington and Port Jefferson lines.
The other tunnel’s signal system is undergoing repairs and is expected to be fully operational by Christmas, according to the release. Despite the continued damage, all LIRR lines are running on regular schedules.
“We have been working closely with Amtrak to complete the work and find creative solutions to restore full LIRR service as soon as possible,” said LIRR president Helena Williams in the statement. “I appreciate the patience of our customers during this vital restoration work after the devastation of Superstorm Sandy.”
According to the LIRR, Amtrak replaced all the signal cases in the restored tunnel, including wiring destroyed by Sandy’s historic levels of flooding. The LIRR said the service restorations were made possible by the signal system replacement in combination with a speed increase on a section of track connecting the East River tunnels with their Sunnyside service yard.
Though all service is currently normal, the LIRR still faces reduced capability to respond to disruptions during rush hour due to damaged systems in Amtrak’s other East River tunnel.
Before this weekend’s announcement of service restoration, Rep. Steve Israel held a press conference decrying delays in repairs and a lack of communication between Amtrak and LIRR customers.
“It is unacceptable for Amtrak to withhold information from LIRR riders, many of whom depend on the system on a daily basis. While needed repairs after Sandy are understandable, riders should be kept abreast of the progress and be able to plan in advance for delays,” said Israel in a statement Nov. 27.
Amtrak is on pace to meet the Christmas deadline for full tunnel service announced at the Nov. 27 press conference, according to this weekend’s LIRR statement.
