Upgrade changes LIRR Ronkonkoma line trains

A three-stage program for replacing wooden ties on the Ronkonkoma Branch begins Monday, resulting in schedule changes and bus service at the station until early August, the Long Island Rail Road said.

Replacing wooden ties will improve the reliability of service and make for a more comfortable ride, the commuter service said in a news release.

The work begins Monday between the Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma stations and will be completed in three phases to minimize customer impact, the LIRR said in its release.

Here's a look at the three phases and the changes to the schedule:

Phase One: Monday to June 22

Midday busing replaces trains between the Brentwood and Ronkonkoma stations. Six eastbound and six westbound trains will originate and terminate at the Brentwood station.

Eastbound: The 8:14 a.m., 9:14 a.m., 10:14 a.m., 11:14 a.m., 12:14 p.m. and 1:14 p.m. trains from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma will end at Brentwood. Buses will be provided for the rest of the trip to Central Islip and Ronkonkoma stations.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

Westbound: The midday westbound trains will originate from Brentwood at 9:52 a.m., 10:52 a.m., 11:52 a.m., 12:52 p.m., 1:52 p.m. and 2:52 p.m. Westbound customers at Ronkonkoma and Central Islip will have bus service to connect with train service at Brentwood for the remainder of their trip.

Buses will leave Ronkonkoma at 9:22 a.m., 10:22 a.m., 11:22 a.m., 12:22 p.m., 1:22 p.m. and 2:22 p.m., and depart Central Islip at 9:32 a.m., 10:32 a.m., 11:32 a.m., 12:32 p.m., 1:32 p.m. and 2:32 p.m.

Trains between Ronkonkoma and Greenport will operate on normal schedules.

Eastbound midday customers destined for points east of Ronkonkoma will have express bus service from Brentwood and Central Islip to stations from Medford through Greenport, since the busing between Brentwood and Ronkonkoma will not allow them to connect with the regular Ronkonkoma-Greenport trains.

Westbound customers from stations Greenport through Medford, traveling west of Ronkonkoma will board their regular train to Ronkonkoma. At Ronkonkoma, they will transfer to buses for Hicksville for train service for the remainder of their trip, making local stops as necessary.

Phase Two: June 25 to July 20

The second phase requires the use of a single track between Deer Park and Brentwood during midday. As a result, six midday westbound Ronkonkoma trains are adjusted to depart Ronkonkoma at 9:41 a.m., 10:41 a.m., 11:41 a.m., 12:41 p.m., 1:41 p.m. and 2:41 p.m.

Phase Three: July 23 to Aug. 10

Buses will replace midday train service between Hicksville and Ronkonkoma in the final phase of the project. All Ronkonkoma Branch midday trains will terminate and originate at Farmingdale.

Customers traveling east of Ronkonkoma will have express bus service between Hicksville and their home stations, since the trains operating between Ronkonkoma and Greenport will run on their normal schedules.

Note: From Aug. 13 to 31, Ronkonkoma Branch midday schedules will return to the schedule used during Phase Two to allow for increased service levels for the Barclay's Golf event at Bethpage State Park.

Customers can call 511, the New York State Travel Information Line (say "Long Island Rail Road") for more information, or visit mta.info/lirr/. Hearing-impaired customers can use their preferred relay service provider for the free 711 relay to reach LIRR at 511.