Extremely Limited LIRR Service From Garden City This Weekend

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will be cutting over to a "state-of-the-art centralized signal and switching control system" at Jamaica during two weekends – Oct. 23-24 and Nov. 6-7 – in the final stage of a major modernization project.

The Jamaica Cutover Project will result in significant service changes for all LIRR branches, except the Port Washington branch on those two weekends. Allow up to 70 minutes of additional travel time, LIRR officials advise.

The new signal system upgrade will bring computerized microprocessor technology to Jamaica's critical switching area and centralize the switching and signal control from three existing signal towers at Jamaica – Jay, Dunton and Hall. Upon completion of the project, which requires two 48-hour weekend service disruptions, signals and switches will be controlled from one facility, Jamaica Central Control; instead of the three towers surrounding Jamaica.

The project brings state-of-the-art technology to this critical LIRR location by replacing the 1910s-era electro-mechanical Model 14 Interlocking Machines at the three towers with a modern microprocessor based system. The new more reliable system will increase operational flexibility for the large volume of trains that pass through this area, helping to reduce customer delays. The new system also will provide redundant signal control systems and will allow for quicker recovery time in the event of a power surge or lightning storm or fire-related service disruption like the one experienced in August when high voltage power entered the signal system and damaged the wiring to the signal control board in Jamaica's Hall Tower.

The cost of the project is approximately $56 million, funded by the MTA Capital Program.

Impact on LIRR Service:

During the two cutover weekends, there will be extremely limited LIRR service, especially between Jamaica Station and Penn Station. The LIRR recommends the use of LIRR trains for essential business travel only. Buses and subway service will replace LIRR trains on most branches. Many customers will need to take the "E" subway line service between Jamaica and Penn Station.

The significant adjustments to LIRR service during the cutover weekends are required because train movement through Jamaica Station is being limited to two tracks (one track east and one track west) while the work is underway. Additionally, routes will be limited through Jamaica resulting in the ability to move three trains per hour in each direction from the South Shore only. Normally, the LIRR operates two to three times more weekend trains through Jamaica from 10 of its 11 branches. Because of the route restrictions, trains will also bypass some LIRR stations.

Hempstead Branch:

Train service will be provided every two hours, instead of hourly, on the Hempstead branch between Hempstead and Queens Village:

• Westbound Hempstead branch customers will take trains to Queens Village where they will board buses for travel to Jamaica. At Jamaica, customers will transfer to NYC Transit's "E" subway line for express service to Penn Station.
• Eastbound Hempstead branch customers will take NYC Transit's "E" subway line at Penn Station to Jamaica and transfer to buses bound for Queens Village. At Queens Village, customers will transfer to a train for the remainder of the trip to Hempstead.

Other Considerations:

• Only three trains will operate each hour between Jamaica and Penn Station (about one-third regular weekend service level)
• Alternative subway service is available via NYC Transit's "E" subway line between Penn Station and Jamaica (the Archer/Sutphin stop on the "E")
• There will be no LIRR train service between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal, Brooklyn
• Buses replace LIRR trains between Mineola and Jamaica on the Huntington/Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma (overnight period only) and Oyster Bay branches
• Buses replace LIRR trains between Queens Village and Jamaica on the Hempstead branch
• Babylon and Huntington weekend service will be reduced from half-hourly to hourly
• Most Ronkonkoma trains will be re-routed along the Babylon branch for a portion of the trip
• Allow up to 70 minutes of additional travel time
• No LIRR train or bus service will operate to/from Atlantic Terminal, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Hollis, Locust Manor, Laurelton, Rosedale, Merillon Avenue, New Hyde Park, St. Albans, Nostrand Avenue and East New York
• Bicycles will not be permitted on buses or trains

NYC Marathon Runners & Spectators:

• To avoid busing and subway transfers, those heading to the NYC Marathon are advised to use the "E" subway line from Jamaica or the Babylon, Long Beach or Port Washington branches for direct service to Penn Station. Please consult special timetables for early morning departure times on these branches.

Sports Fans and Theatergoers:

• Consider taking the Babylon, Long Beach or Port Washington branches, the "E" subway line service or alternate forms of transportation.

LIRR customers are advised to pick up special weekend timetables dated Oct. 23-24 and Nov. 6-7 and familiarize themselves with the significant changes taking place these weekends. Extra LIRR personnel will be on duty throughout the two weekends to assist customers and to make sure the project is completed on time.

A branch-by-branch description of how service will be impacted during the two cutover weekends is available in the Jamaica Cutover brochure.