Track work to derail LIRR schedules

Three track projects on the Long Island Rail Road will disrupt service on several lines this month, beginning with a bridge-replacement project in Southampton Tuesday.

Buses will replace trains on the Montauk branch east of Speonk beginning at 12:40 p.m. Tuesday until 1 p.m. Thursday as the LIRR rebuilds its damaged Hill Station Road Bridge.

The bridge was seriously damaged when a flatbed truck ran into it April 22. Since then, cars have been unable to travel under the bridge, and trains have moved slowly over it.

Although the LIRR typically conducts major track projects on weekends, spokesman Sam Zambuto said fewer people travel along the line during weekdays in the summer than on weekends.

The weekday outage will affect about 400 customers on the Montauk line, as compared to 3,400 on the typical summer Friday.

The project will cost $367,000, which the LIRR is looking to recoup from Riverhead Building Supply, the company that employed the driver who hit the bridge.

Beginning Saturday, the LIRR will take on several track improvements in Mineola that will impact weekend riders on six different lines every weekend in August.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

The LIRR will install new running rail and resurface tracks in Mineola, and also will renew the Willis Avenue grade crossing.

With one track out of use on its Main Line, there will be reduced service on the Huntington, Port Jefferson and Oyster Bay lines. Some trains on the Babylon, Ronkonkoma and Far Rockaway lines also will be rescheduled.

And another track project in Valley Stream will cause complications for riders traveling to and from St. Albans on Sunday and again Aug. 14.

As the LIRR resurfaces tracks on its busy Valley Interlocking -- through which four different lines pass -- vans will replace trains for St. Albans customers the two Sundays.

Zambuto said that both the projects in Mineola and Valley Stream will result in a "smoother ride and more reliable service for customers."

LIRR PROJECTS AND DISRUPTIONS

PROJECT: Replace damaged Hill Station Road Bridge in Southampton

LINE AFFECTED: Montauk line

DATES: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

PROJECT: New running rail installation, and track resurfacing in Mineola, and renewal of Willis Avenue grade crossing.

LINES AFFECTED: Port Jefferson, Huntington and Oyster Bay lines. Lesser impact on Ronkonkoma, Babylon and Far Rockaway lines.

DATES: Weekends in August.

PROJECT: Resurfacing tracks at a busy interlocking in Valley Stream.

LINES AFFECTED: St. Albans customers.

DATES: Sunday and Aug. 14.

For more details on the projects and service disruptions, visit mta.info/lirr.