Weekend rail riders are being warned of Long Island Rail Road service disruptions this weekend as work on the LIRR expansion project continues.

The Cherry Lane Bridge in Carle Place is being replaced this weekend. Officials say the new bridge will be wide enough to support a third track, and will also be raised more than a foot higher than the old bridge, to 14 feet -- reducing the potential for service disruptions due to bridge strikes by over-height trucks.

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All Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson branch trains pass over the bridge on a daily basis. Service is suspended between Hicksville and Mineola for demolition of the old span and installation of the new bridge.

MTA officials are urging customers to avoid the Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson branches both days. They advise using the Babylon, Hempstead or Montauk Branches to avoid delays this weekend. Special weekend timetables are in effect

New York Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul says it's a long overdue and necessary project.

"This is all I heard about since I've been lieutenant governor is businesses, residents who live here, so frustrated with the delays on the tracks -- and one little delay can set back thousands of people trying to get to their jobs," Hochul says. "And we are so sensitive to that, and we have had great partners here who are undertaking this project as if it is in their own backyard."