Weekend riders on the Long Island Rail Road are staring down a rough stretch from July 24 to 27, as crews test and commission a new signal system that will trigger wide-ranging service suspensions, detours and shuttle operations across Queens and western Nassau County. Hempstead and Oyster Bay branch riders, along with many east end diesel customers, are in for dramatically altered schedules and slower trips. The work is the latest phase of the Queens Interlocking modernization project, which officials say is aimed at improving long term reliability.
PLAN AHEAD: Major LIRR service changes are planned for the weekend of July 24–27 as we test and commission a new signal system.
— LIRR (@LIRR) July 17, 2026
The work will require a full suspension of train service through Elmont–UBS Arena Station.
Starting on Friday, July 24:
• Hempstead Branch service… pic.twitter.com/g8yQIYkTuu
Major Weekend Shutdowns by Branch
In a post from MTA on X, the agency warned riders to “plan ahead,” noting that “major LIRR service changes are planned for the weekend of July 24–27.” The brief alert flagged a full signal cutover at the Queens Interlocking and urged customers to check schedules before heading out.
What Goes Dark and When
According to the MTA, Hempstead Branch trains will stop running after 8 p.m. Friday and Oyster Bay trains after 10 p.m., while Port Jefferson and Ronkonkoma service will be limited to runs between Hicksville and points east starting Friday night. Normal service is slated to resume early Monday morning, with the agency listing roughly 4:30 a.m. as the restart time. The MTA cautions that rerouted trains and shuttle connections could tack on 30 to 60 minutes to typical travel times.
Stations and Alternate Service
Local notices from the Village of Floral Park and nearby community groups spell out just how disruptive this will be for some stations, noting that a few stops will be fully closed for the weekend while shuttle and bus options step in for regular trains. The village relays the LIRR message that New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Carle Place and Westbury will have no train or bus service at all, and that a nonstop shuttle bus will run between Jamaica and Mineola. Hempstead service will be covered by buses stopping at Floral Park, Stewart Manor, Nassau Boulevard and Garden City. Riders are also told to expect cross honoring with NYC Transit and NICE buses at affected locations.
Why This Matters
The weekend cutover is a key piece of the Queens Interlocking modernization, a contract the MTA awarded to upgrade switches and install a modern signal system that industry outlets report was delivered by Hitachi. Upgrades at the interlocking are intended to add redundancy, increase speeds and give the LIRR more operational flexibility, including the ability to operate Elmont UBS Arena as a two way station, according to reporting by Mass Transit.
Tips for Riders
Riders are being urged to check schedules in the TrainTime app and on the MTA site, buy or activate e tickets in advance and leave extra time if they have to travel that weekend. The agency suggests using the Babylon, Montauk, West Hempstead or Port Washington branches where possible, and notes that shuttle trains and buses will be staged between Mineola, Jamaica and Hicksville for transfers. Depending on the routing, riders should expect an extra 30 to 60 minutes added to their trip, per the MTA. This outage is one of several planned summer weekends of switch and signal work, so regulars are advised to keep an eye on the TrainTime app and the MTA site for updates and real time status.
