Crews work around the clock to repair damage at Westbury LIRR station
Posted: Updated:Long Island Rail Road crews have been working tirelessly to get the Westbury station back in shape following Tuesday night's triple fatal crash between two trains and an SUV on the tracks.
Police say the SUV driver went around a closed gate and was first hit by an eastbound train, then a westbound one. The westbound track suffered heavy damage when that train derailed, causing delays and cancellations for commuters. Workers replaced more than 200 feet of track.
Crew member Randolph Michel says he got the call around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and didn't go back home until Thursday morning. Chris Garufi adds that they stopped to eat, but otherwise they kept on working.
Signal foreman Michael Misino worked to replace three black boxes on the track that he says are needed to propel the train forward.
LIRR officials say the work finished Thursday afternoon. Trains were running on the new track and back on schedule shortly afterward.
The westbound platform at the Westbury station can still accommodate 10 train cars. The damaged part is fenced off for safety. The entire Westbury platform is expected to be replaced during an upcoming third track project.
Officials say trains were running normally for Friday's evening commute.
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