Greetings Hamptons Mouthpiece readers…well LIRR has done it again….Once again Montauk branch riders will be inconvienced YET AGAIN!…Earlier this year when a truck damaged the bridge in Hamptons Bays, LIRR shut down service between Speonk and Montauk to fix the tunnel, then Irene came and the trains were once again shut down because LIRR is NEVER prepared for bad weather. This week on the 29th, we had a Lightning storm and thousands of passengers were stranded with no way of getting home and all LIRR exceutives would say is I am sorry…..We all want safety but for one of the largest form of transportation this is crazy that they cannot get their act together…Then the audasicty to raise fares, so whenever the rails are not working and you have to find an alternate route to get to work or get home. Will we be reimbursed by LIRR if we have bought weekly or monthly passes….
This is especially signifigant if you are on the Montauk branch, monthly passes are $429.00 whenever the trains are cancelled riders are forced to take the Hampton Jitney and that cost is $30.00 one way. The Hampton Jitney is a comfortable ride and definately more flexible but unfortunately it is double the monthly investment than the LIRR even if you buy the value pack at $240(10)….
EFFECTIVE 9/29/2011 THRU 2014
Now the new changes for the LIRR will effect what branch? The MONTAUK BRANCH….yet again…readers this will affect the weekend service and Monday Mornings service, this is very important you be made aware of these changes…There are only 3 ways of getting in NYC from the Hamptons….Car, Train, Bus…The LIRR is the most economical way of traveling if you travel to NYC everyday, the bus is comfortable but too expensive for me and traveling by car is just wear an tear on your car and exhausting.
Project Underscores MTA Long Island Rail Road’s Long Term Commitment to Improved Service on the Montauk Branch
The $26.2 million rehabilitation of three aging MTA Long Island Rail Road bridges in Hampton Bays is getting underway next month, a major East End infrastructure improvement financed by the Federal Transit Administration and the MTA Capital Program.
The work on the North Highway Bridge, the Montauk Highway Bridge and the Shinnecock Canal Bridge, all constructed in the early part of the 20th Century, will take two years to complete and is expected to extend the life of each bridge by 35 to 40 years. The reconstruction will be carried out in large part over the next two years by a private contractor who will employ approximately 45 workers at the height of the project.The LIRR’s North Highway Bridge was built in 1907, the Montauk Highway Bridge in 1929 and the Shinnecock Canal Bridge in 1931. Based on routine bridge inspections, the LIRR determined that these bridges were in need of rehabilitation. “They are showing their age, no question about it.” Williams said. “So it’s important that we reverse that. The project will help ensure reliability and on-time performance on the Montauk Branch.” LIRR inspections found that the superstructures of the bridges are in fair to good condition, but in need waterproofing and painting. The substructures of the bridges, including abutments, wing walls and pedestals, are in poor to fair condition. All deteriorated superstructure and substructure elements will be repaired. The above-deck waterproofing, drainage system, bearings and bridge seats will be replaced. Additional work includes painting and other site improvements. As part of the repairs, the vertical roadway clearance of Montauk Highway and North Highway Bridges will be increased by approximately 5 inches to reduce the potential for today’s larger trucks and buses to strike the bridge overhead. This is an improvement the Railroad is making during all bridge modernizations where necessary.
If you are traveling to or from the Hamptons on Weekends and Monday mornings prepare for delays to lessen your frustration…These projects are necessary and it could be worst they could choose to do the construction during the week. Hamptons Mouthpiece if you want to know what’s happening in the Hamptons.
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