After the successful completion of the Spring 1997 Main Line Track Rehabilitation Program, the MTA Long Island Rail Road will begin another ambitious and extensive track rehabilitation program in the same critical and demanding stretch of track on the railroad, Main Line Tracks Three and Four, between Jamaica and Long Island City.

This project will again include the installation of some 30,000 concrete ties and new 136-lb. continuous welded rail (CWR) and the waterproofing and rehabilitation of seven rail bridges along this stretch of track. We will also be leasing the 1,150-ft. long track laying machine, which will triple our productivity by installing the concrete ties and CWR simultaneously. The 50-year life span of the concrete ties means that we will not need to perform maintenance and rehabilitation track work in this area as often as in the past.

However, in order to complete the project in a timely manner, we must take one of the four main tracks to Penn Station out of service at all times and a second track will be used only during rush hours. We will need to reduce traffic over this portion of the track. For example, during the work period, we will divert most of our Main Line Hunterspoint Avenue service to and from Long Island City along what we refer to as the Montauk West Branch. Three AM peak westbound diesels will terminate at Jamaica, two PM peak eastbound trains will originate from Jamaica and one will originate from Flatbush Avenue.

A project of this scope is even more complicated because it must be completed within a narrow time window provided by a schedule change between May 18 to Sept. 13. Although we have designed the project to have as limited an impact on our customers as possible, it will require the cancellation or combination of five AM and three PM peak New York trains.

The work will be scheduled in two phases: First, beginning May 16 we will remove all third rail, signal components and other materials. Then, the track laying machine will simultaneously position concrete ties and rail. After that work is finished, we will then reinstall the various third rail and signal components and weld the rail joints. On July 13 we will repeat the process on the other track. The entire project will be completed and peak service restored by Sept. 14.

Between May 18 and Sept. 13 we will temporarily cancel the 7:21 a.m. from Babylon; the 8:08 a.m. from Long Beach; the 8:03 a.m. from Valley Stream; the 8:21 a.m. from Far Rockaway and the 8:25 a.m. from Freeport. In the evening we will cancel the 4:42 p.m. to Far Rockaway, the 5:01 p.m. to Freeport and the 5:23 p.m. to Long Beach. Alternative service will be available at times reasonably close to those trains. Cars and stops will be added to other trains to offset these temporary schedule changes.

This year the installation of concrete ties will be performed on the local tracks closest to the platforms at these stations. Service will be maintained by use of expandable aluminum bridges that will span the gap between the platform and the train. During rush hours, near-normal train service levels at these stations will be maintained, although stopping times may change slightly. During off-peak hours Woodside service will be reduced by five eastbound stops and two westbound stops. Kew Gardens and Forest Hills will each have one less eastbound, off-peak stop. At critical points during the work, such as when the track laying machine advances to the track adjacent to the platforms at Kew Gardens, Forest Hills and Woodside, some busing will be required. Busing will take place during off-peak hours only. As the work progresses, the LIRR will provide public information on the busing schedule at least one week in advance.

A comprehensive public information campaign involving posters, brochures and other materials will be undertaken. During the project, we will station additional employees at key stations and terminals to answer our customers' questions, ease their concerns and provide them with information.

We are aware that some customers will be inconvenienced by the temporary timetable changes and others will have to change trains or destinations. However, we have used our experience from last year to try to minimize the inconvenience and I want to assure you that these temporary timetable changes affect a relatively modest number of our total ridership and that we will restore regular train service as soon as the project is over in September.

If you have any questions about the program, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thomas F. Prendergast