Weekend changes to Far Rockaway line

Train service on the Far Rockaway branch will be suspended this weekend because of resurfacing work on a switch point near Valley Stream, the Long Island Rail Road said Wednesday.

Buses will replace trains from 6:15 p.m. Saturday till 12:05 a.m. Monday as workers realign switches and track and improve drainage on a stretch east of Valley Stream, the commuter service said.

The work will take about 30 hours and create "a smoother ride and better service reliability," according to a news release.

The last eastbound train on Saturday will depart at 5:12 p.m. from the Atlantic Terminal; it is scheduled to arrive in Far Rockaway at 6:05 p.m.

The final westbound departure Saturday will be the 5:50 p.m. from Far Rockaway, scheduled to arrive at Atlantic Terminal at 6:42 p.m.

The suspension means eastbound customers will travel by train to Valley Stream and then board buses to complete the rest of their journey, arriving at their destinations up to 34 minutes later than usual.

Westbound customers will board buses up to 51 minutes later than usual at their home stations to Valley Stream, where train service will resume. Passengers can expect to arrive at their destinations up to 63 minutes later than usual.

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Passengers taking westbound trains that normally depart Far Rockaway at 12:42 a.m. and 1:38 a.m. on Sunday -- at stations Far Rockaway through Gibson -- will change at Valley Stream for bus service to Rosedale, Laurelton and Locust Manor.

Passengers taking the westbound train that normally leaves Far Rockaway at 1:38 a.m. will instead board buses to Jamaica, where train service will resume.

Far Rockaway customers are advised to pick up the special Far Rockaway timetable for travel this weekend.

More information is available by calling 511 or by visiting mta.info/lirr.