With the deadline for a decision on a possible Amtrak strike weeks away, the Long Island Rail Road is releasing contingency travel plans in case Penn Station is shut down.

LIRR President Helena Williams announced more detailed plans Wednesday. "Customers will have the opportunity to get to their Manhattan destinations using a combination of Long Island Rail Road service and New York City subway service,? she said.

If a strike goes into effect, trains will go to Jamaica, Woodside, Hunters Point Avenue, Shea Stadium or Brooklyn. Commuters would then have to board the 7, P, J, Z or any Manhattan-bound subway lines from those locations.

In the evening, Far Rockaway, Hempstead or Huntington commuters must use the subway and board in Brooklyn to go east. Babylon, Montauk, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson and West Hempstead commuters must take the subway to Jamaica and board the LIRR from there.

LIRR says the specific directions will be posted at Long Island train stations for commuters to read. The contingency plans will force the 85,000 LIRR customers who go to Penn Station each morning to go to an alternate destination.

Commutes may take as long as an extra 45 minutes if the strike happens. LIRR will being distributing detailed flyers at each Long Island station next week.

The deadline for the strike is Jan. 30.

Related Information: Alternate Strike Destinations 1 Alternate Strike Destinations 2