LIRR Expects Service to Be Back to Normal for Evening Rush

Ice blamed for close to 50 accidents on Long Island roads

The Long Island railroad expects to run a normal weekday schedule this afternoon, according to spokesman Joe Calderone. Still, commuters should expect cancellations and delays in the wake of Wednesday's ice storm.

Ice-covered tracks forced the LIRR to use a "weekend" schedule during the morning commute.  That meant fewer trains and, in many cases, longer waits for commuters in the persistent, icy rain. 

Railroad workers battled the elements all morning, spreading salt on platforms and spraying anti-freeze onto the electrified third rail, but the ice was, at times, too much to overcome.

In fact, the ice is being blamed for close to 50 traffic accidents on Long Island roads since midnight, according to police in Nassau and Suffolk. Luckily, no one was seriously hurt.

In addition, the icy conditions are being blamed for thousands of power outages, mostly in Nassau county.

"I just lost power," said Syosset bake shop owner Corina Elgart, who was forced to work in the dark.  "I had to move my cakes into a Dairy Barn freezer next door or I would have been s.o.l.!" she exclaimed.

@GregCergol4NY

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