LIRR Service Canceled Between Mineola And Hicksville This Weekend
WESTBURY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Repair work is expected to cause major disruptions for some 40,000 Long Island Rail Road riders this weekend.
Starting at midnight, the LIRR will cancel all service between Mineola and Hicksville. The LIRR will provide bus service between the two stations.
"Anyone coming into the city or going out to the island on the Port Jefferson branch and on the Ronkonkoma branch really has to allow for extra time or figure out an alternative way to get in," LIRR spokesman Salvatore Arena told 1010 WINS.
LIRR Service Canceled Between Mineola And Hicksville This Weekend
The LIRR warns the entire system will be affect. Other branches will have their schedules adjusted and special weekend timetables will be in effect.
Crews will be demolishing the crumbling 74-year-old Ellison Avenue Bridge in Westbury, which runs directly above the tracks.
"It's in pretty bad shape, certainly in terms of the roadway that goes over the tracks," Arena said. "It's a project that's been in the works for some time and finally we're getting to a point where we're at demolition."
Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro said the project has been a long time coming.
"We've been waiting and trying to get this bridge rehabilitated for 20 years," he said.
State Sen. Jack Martins called the structure "the worst bridge on Long Island" and "one of the most dangerous bridges in New York State."
The railroad said construction crews are certain they will have the old bridge carted away in time for the Monday morning morning.
"We regret the inconvenience, but for obvious safety reasons, demolition of the bridge requires a complete suspension of train service between Hicksville and Mineola," LIRR President Patrick A. Nowakowski said.
To see how the disruptions will affect you, click here.
