Port Washington Branch Track Work Affects Service This Weekend May 17-18

Substitute #7 Subway Service In Effect

MTA Long Island Rail Road Port Washington Branch service will be affected by a track work project this weekend, May 17-18. This is the fourth and final weekend of this stage of the work. For approximately 12-hours, from 2:30 PM Saturday, May 17 until 2:05 AM Sunday, May 18, Port Washington Branch customers will have a free transfer to the #7 subway to complete their trips as both tracks will be out of service between the East River Tunnels and Shea Stadium. During the remaining portions of the weekend, there will be regular LIRR service on the Port Washington Branch. The track work is the initial stage of a five-year plan to install new switches and infrastructure in the area east of the East River Tunnels to accommodate the East Side Access Project that is expected to bring LIRR service into Grand Central Terminal by 2014.

Although alternate service requiring transfers between the LIRR and the subway is described below, in order to avoid lengthy delays during this 12-hour service outage, customers to and from Manhattan are encouraged to use the #7 subway train for transportation to and from the Willets Point/Shea Stadium subway station then transfer to or from LIRR service.

May 17-18
One Port Washington Branch track between Harold Interlocking (east of East River tunnels) and Shea Stadium will be out of service along with one Main Line track between Harold Interlocking and Jamaica except from 2:30 PM, Saturday, May 17 until 2:05 AM, Sunday, May 18 when both tracks between Harold Interlocking and Shea Stadium will be out of service. During this 12-hour period Port Washington Branch customers will have a free transfer to the #7 subway line to complete their trips.

Eastbound
During the 12-hour period when both Port Washington Branch tracks are out of service, eastbound customers will have a free transfer at Woodside to the #7 subway line then transfer at the Willets Point/Shea Stadium stop to the LIRR to complete their trips. At all other times during the affected weekends customers will be able to complete their trips on the LIRR, however, some trains will use the opposite side platforms from normal.

Westbound
During the 12-hour period when both Port Washington Branch tracks are out of service, westbound customers will have a free transfer at Shea Stadium to the #7 subway line (Willets Point/Shea Stadium stop) for service to Manhattan (either Grand Central Terminal or Times Square).

Eastbound customers will experience increased travel time of up to 41 minutes during the 12-hour double track outage.

Westbound customers will experience increased travel time of up to 58 minutes during the 12-hour double track outage. 

Mobility Impaired Customers
Mobility impaired customers will not be able to use the Shea Stadium or Broadway stations during this weekend. Eastbound customers who need elevators will be provided with van service at the Flushing-Main Street #7 subway station. Westbound customers who need elevators will be provided with van service at Auburndale Station and will then transfer to the #7 subway at the Flushing-Main Street station to complete their trips.

Affected customers should obtain a copy of the special Port Washington Branch timetable for May 17-18 at their station or at all terminals. Customers can also contact the LIRR’s 24-hour Travel Information Center in Nassau County at 516-822-LIRR, in Suffolk County at 631-231-LIRR or in New York City at 718-217-LIRR. The Travel Information Center’s TDD telephone number for the hearing impaired is 718-558-3022.