LIRR crews to perform critical work on new Massapequa Pocket Track and substation in Freeport

Beginning Feb. 29, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will perform critical work on the replacement of the Meadowbrook substation in Freeport, an integral component of the rail infrastructure system that provides power to the trains and will ultimately support future LIRR growth.

Crews will also perform critical signal work on the new Massapequa Pocket Track, which will provide the LIRR with greater flexibility and increased capacity along the Babylon Branch in connection with the start of service to Grand Central.

As a result of this work, buses will substitute for trains between Babylon and Rockville Center. Trains between Rockville Center and Penn Station will operate hourly. Customers should anticipate at least 45 minutes of additional travel time.

Babylon Branch service will be affected as follows:

• Westbound: Customers at Babylon through Baldwin will board buses to Rockville Center, then transfer for hourly train service to points west. Customers at Babylon Station can board a limited number of westbound Montauk Branch trains that will operate via the Central Branch through Hicksville to points west.
• Eastbound: Customers will board hourly trains to Rockville Center, then transfer for bus service to Baldwin through Babylon.

To avoid busing, transfers and delays, customers are strongly advised to use alternate branches including the Hempstead, Huntington/Port Jefferson, Long Beach and Ronkonkoma branches. The LIRR will be increasing service on the Ronkonkoma Branch and adding cars to Montauk Branch trains.