MTA: Downed PSEG LI power lines caused LIRR suspensions

<p>The MTA told News 12 that two incidents involving PSEG Long Island power lines were to blame for the service issues.</p>

News 12 Staff

Mar 8, 2018, 9:58 AM

Updated 2,247 days ago

Share:

MTA: Downed PSEG LI power lines caused LIRR suspensions
The Long Island Rail Road is back on track after six branches were suspended during Wednesday’s nor’easter.
The MTA says there were two major problems – both involving PSEG Long Island power lines coming down on the tracks.
The first happened around 5 p.m. east of the Merillon Station in Garden City, which caused suspensions on the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, Oyster Bay and Hempstead branches.
About 20 minutes later, a power line down on the tracks at the Freeport train station caused the Babylon and Montauk branches to be suspended.
A fallen tree in Cold Spring Harbor also caused more disruptions on the Port Jefferson branch.
“I think they should pay a little extra attention to the [power lines] that could cause delays for the railroad and make sure they're above average or maintained more frequently,” says Peter Haynes, with the LIRR Commuters Campaign.
MTA board member Mitch Pally says he thinks the answer is to cut down all the trees that line the LIRR tracks and sit near the power lines. 
“If I had my druthers, I'd cut them all down,” he says. Pally also adds that communities would not support the idea due to noise or the general appearance.
A spokeswoman for PSEG Long Island says the incidents were caused by heavy snow and high winds.
Last month, LIRR President Patrick Nowakowski took responsibility for poor service and promised to improve it. His plan includes technology to protect switches and rails from freezing and enhancing the passenger communication system.
News 12 asked to interview Nowakowski, but the request was denied.


More from News 12
2:46
SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

SBU officials: 29 people arrested on campus as students hold pro-Palestinian protest

3:35
Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

Warm temps today ahead of some wet weather for the weekend

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

1:55
Multiple roads to be closed Sunday for the Long Island Marathon. Click here to see which ones

Multiple roads to be closed Sunday for the Long Island Marathon. Click here to see which ones

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:13
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments