LIRR Suspending Service On Multiple Branches This Weekend

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Due to switch and signal work, the Long Island Rail Road won't be running trains between Jamaica Station and the Hicksville, Hempstead and East Williston stations this weekend.

Service will be suspended starting at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, and will resume at 2:30 a.m. Monday, the LIRR said. There will be buses available for people to get between stations while the service is suspended.

There will be special timetables in effect on all branches. Also, the LIRR said it will be adding more trains to the Babylon Branch to help make up the difference. To get around the suspended lines, the LIRR says:

• From Hicksville, take a shuttle train to Babylon for service towards Jamaica and Penn Station.
• Oyster Bay Branch trains will run between East Williston and Oyster Bay. Shuttle buses connect East Williston, Mineola, and Hempstead.
• For stations New Hyde Park through Westbury, use nearby NICE buses.

The LIRR says that the lines are being suspended so that crews can install new switches and signals between the Elmont-UBS Arena and Bellerose. It will allow westbound trains on the Hempstead Branch to stop at Elmont-UBS Arena on event days, starting with the Islanders game on Nov. 7.

Additionally, crews will also use the time to finish the installation of long-lasting concrete ties near Mineola.