LIRR aims to prevent service disruptions as nor'easter looms, urges PSEG to do same

Ahead of strong winds forecast in the coming days, the Long Island Rail Road will do its part to prevent service disruptions like those caused by downed utility poles and power wires on its tracks Wednesday and is pushing PSEG Long Island to do the same, the LIRR’s president said Thursday.

After the overnight repairs to damaged tracks near Hicksville, LIRR president Rob Free said the railroad is pressing PSEG for answers as to why numerous utility poles and high voltage transmission wires fell on the tracks Wednesday afternoon, forcing the railroad to suspend service on one of the busiest portions of its system throughout the evening commute and into the late night hours.

To restore service in time for the Thursday morning rush hour, Free said, LIRR crews had to repair damaged rails and relocate several trains that were out of position.

The LIRR has assigned blame for the incident to PSEG, which owns and maintains the utility poles and power lines alongside the railroad’s tracks. Free said LIRR officials "haven’t heard back" from the utility with an explanation of why the poles toppled.

"They're still investigating it, but we are pressing them to understand why this happened. ... That was a pretty severe failure in these poles," said Free, who is demanding "a little more visibility" on assessments made of the condition of trackside utility poles.

"We need to ensure that this doesn't happen again, because it's not acceptable," Free said at the LIRR's Jamaica station.

In a statement, PSEG spokesperson Katy Tatzel said the utility company has "robust pole inspection and replacement programs." She said PSEG is investigating the incident and, upon completion, will review the findings with the LIRR.

"We value our partnership with the LIRR," Tatzel said. "We apologize to LIRR customers impacted last night and will continue to work tirelessly to avoid future disruptions."

At the Jamaica station Thursday morning, commuters were relieved to have service on the railroad's busiest branch at full strength again. Greg Shell was traveling back to Manhattan from a job location in Medford on Wednesday when the service disruption forced him to get off at Farmingdale. To finish his trip, he ordered an Uber at the cost of $125.

"I wasn't really mad at anybody," Shell, 28, said while waiting for his train. "It seems like the trains are running fine today. ... Everybody is doing the best that they can."

With a forecast nor’easter potentially bringing winds of up to 60 mph to Long Island this weekend, Free said the LIRR is clearing brush near its tracks and will also pre-position crews and equipment to quickly respond to any incidents. He wants PSEG to do the same.

"We always impress upon them, like with this weather upcoming, to make sure that they'll have forces in place spread out throughout the system to respond and clear our right of way," Free said.

Free also addressed separate service disruptions on the Babylon line Thursday caused by a broken rail near Wantagh. He said Thursday morning that LIRR crews quickly made temporary repairs to restore service and would make permanent repairs after the morning commute.

Free noted that rail fractures are a common problem after "drastic" swings in temperatures, which can cause steel to expand and contract. Temperatures ranged from the 50s to the 70s between Wednesday and Thursday.

Newsday's Nicholas Grasso contributed to this story.

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.