Community Corner

LIRR Delays May Bring Extra Congestion in Port

With Port Washington the only LIRR line without service suspension, both riders and residents should prepare for delays.

The Port Washington line of the Long Island Rail Road is the only fully operating branch of the LIRR, with most service suspended on all other lines. The suspended service on Monday may bring extra railroad riders and traffic to Port Washington as commuters figure out alternative means home.

"We do expect delays," said Port Washington Police Chief William J Kilfoil, adding that there will be an extra officer at the Long Island Rail Road station as commuters arrive during the afternoon rush hour.

Electronic signs on the northbound side of Port Washington Blvd. are directing out-of-town drivers to the LIRR station.

Find out what's happening in Port Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Train service to all LIRR branches - except the Port Washington line - has been suspended since late Monday morning. Severe delays are expected to continue into the evening rush hour.

According to Mike Charles of the LIRR press office, the railroad is coming up with an "alternative service plan."

Find out what's happening in Port Washingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At 4:31 p.m., the LIRR updated their service advisory to read: "the LIRR is offering limited service for the PM rush hour today due to an earlier fire at a switching station east of Jamaica." 

The interruption in service was caused by a fire in the LIRR's switching tower located on the east side of Jamaica. The Port Washington line was not affected because it does not travel through Jamaica.

Port Washington Patch will be updating this story.


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