EAST HARLEM, N.Y. — CT Governor Dannel Malloy and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have been briefed on the situation regarding Metro-North commuter service. The MTA is warning AM Commuters to expect delays and have an alternate route if possible.
Wednesday morning, the MTA announced Metro-North rail service will run on a Saturday schedule pending the completion of repairs to a fire-damaged elevated stretch of track that runs through East Harlem.
This was the message posted to the MTA's website regarding New Haven Line Service:
Metro-North train service remains suspended into and out of Grand Central this evening (Tues., May 17) because of a fire under the Park Avenue Viaduct at 118th Street in Manhattan.
See alternate service plans at http://bit.ly/SeCMH3. Metro-North personnel are working through the night to inspect the structure to determine the extent of the structural damage and make temporary repairs. Until Metro-North determines that it is safe to operate trains over the Viaduct, service into and out of Grand Central Terminal will remain suspended.
For tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 18, Metro-North expects to run Saturday service. Should conditions improve overnight, then the level of train service will be gradually increased for the AM rush.
Customers should continue to check the website and news media for any updates & listen for announcements at stations.
Firefighters contained a large fire underneath the Metro-North train tracks Tuesday evening, but service remained suspended overnight in and out of Grand Central Terminal.
According to the MTA the fire ignited around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday underneath the elevated tracks at the intersection of Park Avenue and E. 118th Street. The fire quickly grew to four-alarms.
Smoke and flames were seen billowing from miles away. The fire involves debris from a construction trailer, and other stored combustable material
Service is currently suspended in and out of Grand Central Terminal, including on the New Haven and Danbury Metro-North lines. Commuters should allow for extra time, even in the morning.
If you take the New Haven Line, the MTA you should take the train to 233 Street for Metro-North's Woodlawn station, then transfer to the "2" subway. The MTA is cross-honoring Metro-North tickets at Grand Central and Bronx stations where transfers are occurring.
No injuries have been reported.
Click here for information on Metro-North delays.
