Blizzard Conditions Necessitate Winter Maintenance Across Northeast

Metro-North Railroad via X

NEW YORK CITY - Metropolitan Transportation Authority, NJ Transit, and SEPTA have suspended services due to the severe winter weather.

Starting Sunday, February 22, the northeast experienced heavy snowfall, winds, and freezing temperatures. As a result, several agencies have announced service suspensions.

MTA

Beginning 1:00 a.m. Monday, the Long Island Rail Road has suspended all service temporarily. The Staten Island Railway is also operating on a Weekend Schedule on Monday, February 23. During this time, MTA says it will deploy employees throughout the region to spread salt and clear snow in order to keep signals, switches, and third rails operating.

Metro-North Railroad is operating on an hourly service schedule. MTA reports protective heat circuits are still operational, and air brake lines were “purged of any moisture to prevent them from freezing.” Additionally, switches are using electric switch heaters to melt the snow.

On the subway, modified service is also in effect. The NYC Transit’s Department of Subways has “a fleet of emergency response equipment” that includes “debris trains and de-icer trains” that are ready to respond to current weather conditions. As well, crews are monitoring switches and tracks, says the MTA, to ensure they are in top working condition. They will reportedly salt and clear snow and ice from platforms, stairs, and entrances at stations.

SEPTA

In Philadelphia, SEPTA announced it was activating its Winter Storm Plan, which includes “activating the Command Center, which puts all of SEPTA’s key decision-makers in the same room to closely track storm conditions and determine when service adjustments need to be made.” In preparation for the storm, SEPTA pre-treated station surfaces and parking lots. The agency says it had 4,000 tons of rock salt available to use. During inclement weather, it also deployed track inspectors to assess its rail system across five counties. To clear snow and ice, SEPTA says it has “large blowers, snow throwers, augers and other pieces of heavy equipment” at its disposal.

SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said, “While these efforts will put SEPTA in the best possible position to handle this storm, we want to be clear with our customers – there are going to be significant service disruptions. . . This is going to include delays, trip cancellations, and likely shutdowns of routes and entire modes of travel.”

Sauer went on to add, “Through the close monitoring of the storm by our personnel in the Command Center and int he field, we will be able to take a proactive approach and suspend services before conditions become unsafe for our riders and employees. . . This also greatly reduces the chances that our buses, trolleys, or trains get stranded or damaged. And with vehicles back at shops and yards, and out of harm’s way, maintenance crews are well-positioned to get them ready for the return of service after the storm.”

As of 10:15 a.m. on February 23, SEPTA says Regional Rail is still suspended until its safety inspections are complete.

NJ Transit

NJ Transit announced its rail service is, and will remain, suspended “until conditions safely allow for the gradual resumption of service.” Its light rail service is also suspended for the time being. On February 22, NJ Transit said that during a service suspension, there may still be trains and LRVs in operation without passengers “to keep overhead wires and tracks free of snow and ice.” Despite this, motorists and pedestrians should still abide by crossing gates and only cross at specified crossings.

For rail, its cars and locomotives have been “winterized,” says NJ Transit. Additionally, its preventative maintenance program includes inspection and winter maintenance of “more than 750 switches and switch heaters, overhead wire systems, 12 moveable bridges and wayside power at storage yards and terminals.” Snow blowers are also at its disposal to remove snow and ice from rails as needed.

For light rail, NJ Transit has snowplows ready to clear station platforms. Snow blowers and backup generators are also available. Switch heaters have been tested throughout its three systems, and necessary supplies, including calcium chloride, shovels, and scrapers have been made available throughout. Crews salted stations ahead of time, and stations are equipped with inspected heaters.

On X, NJ Transit shared a video of crews working hard to clear snow.

RT&S will continue reporting on this story as more information becomes available.