LIRR limits service for signal modernization project at Jamaica

Written by jrood

Long Island Rail Road customers are advised that during two weekends in the fall - October 23-24 and November 6-7 - there will be extremely limited LIRR service, especially between Jamaica Station and Penn Station, as the LIRR cuts over to a modern signal and switching control system at Jamaica, N.Y. As a result of the extremely limited service, the LIRR advises that only customers traveling for essential business - such as first responders (police, fire) and service employees with no other alternatives - should use the LIRR during these two weekends. Customers traveling for recreational purposes during this period should consider travel on the Port Washington Branch or other travel alternatives.

During the two cutover
weekends, many customers will need to take the "E" subway line
service between Jamaica and Penn Station.

The new signal system
upgrade will bring state-of-the-art computerized microprocessor technology to
Jamaica’s critical switching area and centralizes the switching and signal
control from three existing signal towers at Jamaica – including Hall Tower
where the switching board was damaged by a major fire last month that disrupted
service.

"This project will
help us get ready for the future and continue our ongoing effort to modernize
the LIRR’s most critical signal and switching systems," said LIRR
President Helena E. Williams. "Last month’s fire at Jamaica underscored
the need for this upgrade and we ask for customer’s patience during these two
weekends. The work will help ensure reliability of train service going
forward."

Extensive testing of the
new equipment requires these weekend service reductions, including no train
service between Mineola and Jamaica Station, no train service between Queens
Village and Jamaica and no train service between Jamaica Station and Atlantic
Terminal. LIRR train service on all branches will be significantly affected,
except for the Port Washington Branch.

The Jamaica Signal
cutover project consists of installing a new microprocessor technology signal
system in the three interlockings (signal and switching areas) that control
train movement through Jamaica. These three interlockings are called Jay,
Dunton and Hall. Upon completion of the project – which requires two 48-hour
weekend service disruptions – signals and switches will be controlled from one
facility, Jamaica Central Control; instead of the three towers located in each
of these interlockings.

The project brings
state-of-the-art technology to this critical LIRR location by replacing the
1910’s-era electro-mechanical Model 14 Interlocking Machines at the three
towers with a modern microprocessor based system. The new more reliable system
will increase operational flexibility for the large volume of trains that pass
through this area, helping to reduce customer delays. The new system also will
provide redundant signal control systems and will allow for quicker recovery
time in the event of a power surge, or lightning storm or fire-related service
disruption like those experienced last month when high voltage power entered
the signal system and damaged the wiring to the signal control board in
Jamaica’s Hall Tower.

The cost of the project
is approximately $56-million. Funding is provided by the MTA Capital Program.

During the cutover, train
movement through Jamaica Station will be limited to two tracks (one track east
and one track west).

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