Amtrak to LIRR: We'll fix drainage issues

Amtrak on Friday vowed to do what it takes -- right away and over years to come -- to fix drainage problems in its East River tunnels that have contributed to major service disruptions for 225,000 daily Long Island Rail Road commuters.

Amtrak officials, in a meeting with LIRR president Helena Williams and the commuter railroad's chief engineer, discussed plans to closely inspect tracks within the four tunnels, making sure drains are functioning properly and replacing damaged wooden ties and the stone ballast that supports the tracks.

That work will require closing one tunnel a weekend over four weekends, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said.

LIRR officials said the work will not affect service to and from Penn Station.

For a longer-term fix, Amtrak said it plans a "total track replacement" in the tunnels and use of new technology to monitor drainage. Details of that multiyear plan must be worked out, officials said.

There are no cost estimates for the work, officials said. Amtrak owns the tunnels, but the LIRR largely pays for maintenance of them. Capital improvement costs are split between the agencies.

The Amtrak proposals came after urgent calls from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), MTA chairman Jay Walder and state lawmakers for swift action to step up tunnel maintenance.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

Several recent track problems in the tunnels -- including a May 8 Amtrak derailment -- caused widespread LIRR cancellations and delays.

An LIRR inspection of the tunnels later revealed significant drainage problems that could have contributed to defects in the rails.

Amtrak president Joseph Boardman laid out several measures to Walder in a letter that was released Friday.

"Let me assure you that Amtrak is committed to providing safe and reliable infrastructure and operation to all users of the Northeast Corridor," Boardman wrote. "The recent isolated incidents of rail failures do not indicate any safety lapse."

After Friday's meeting, Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole said in a statement that the agency "values its long-standing relationship with the MTA and Long Island Rail Road and remains committed to providing a continued safe and reliable maintenance system in our East River Tunnel system."

MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin said the agency is "satisfied with their [Amtrak's] aggressive plans and will work closely with Amtrak to ensure that they are implemented expeditiously and effectively."

Schumer, who called Boardman personally Thursday to "demand" that Amtrak address the drainage problems and make LIRR customers a higher priority, said Friday he was "glad that Amtrak heeded our call and has quickly stepped up to the plate."

Mark Epstein of Melville, the recently elected chairman of the LIRR Commuter Council, said while it is important to find out who will pay for the repairs, they are absolutely necessary.

"The bottom line is that the water in the tunnels must be fixed, and it has to be fixed quickly -- and definitely with the least amount of intrusion to the lives of the daily rider," Epstein said. "Commuters deserve it, and they demand it."