A number of New Yorkers are wondering if subway trains are shut down ahead of the potentially historic blizzard that will hit Monday night and Tuesday. As much as 3 feet of snow could fall in the city during the storm.
UPDATE as of Monday afternoon: Subways and all MTA transit are closing down at 11 p.m. ET.
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Here’s the MTA alerts website and the schedule for LIRR and Metro North.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the state, including New York City, ahead of the snowstorm. Cuomo said the “major winter storm is expected to hit the Long Island, New York City and Mid-Hudson regions beginning Monday and intensify ahead of the evening commute.”
“At its height, the storm could reach as much as 4 inches of snow an hour and zero visibility conditions. As a result, roads including the Thruway, I-84 and the Long Island Expressway, and public transit networks including the LIRR, PATH, Metro North Railroad, and MTA Subways and Buses may be closed ahead of the evening commute,” reads a statement on his website.
Here’s what the MTA says:
Several areas of the MTA Service Area including New York City, the Hudson Valley and Long Island are currently under a Blizzard Watch with forecasts calling for anywhere from 12 to 20 inches or more of snow and blizzard-like conditions for portions of today, January 26th and tomorrow, January 27th. Travel will be hazardous, especially during and after the evening rush hour. Bus, commuter-rail, and subway service could be curtailed on a route-by-route basis, depending on conditions and snow-removal operations. As a result, commuters should consider working from home if at all possible. Monitor this page, Service Status, and local news reports for additional information as the weather system approaches.
New York City Transit
NYC Transit personnel are in place to clear platforms and stairs of snow. De-icers and snow-throwers have been strategically deployed to focus on outdoor areas and open cuts that are the most susceptible to high snow accumulations.
The MTA is planning to operate normal bus service for this morning’s rush hour, but depending on road conditions, service may be curtailed as the day progresses. All local buses, including articulated buses, will have chains or snow tires installed by this afternoon’s rush hour.
Paratransit customers may experience additional travel and wait times.
Long Island Rail Road
Platforms and stairways will continue to be cleared and salted. LIRR station waiting rooms will remain open around-the-clock now through Friday afternoon, January 30, to provide shelter for customers waiting for trains during cold and inclement weather.
Extra engineers and signal maintainers are being called in.
Metro-North Railroad
Extra engineers and signal maintainers are being called in.Metro-North will take steps to ensure that switches – the interlocking tracks that allow rail traffic controllers to route trains from one track to another – are working throughout the storm. The railroad is activating switch heaters, lubricating the switches and treating them with anti-freeze agents. Rail Traffic Controllers will activate the switches to keep them from freezing shut. In addition, track workers will be positioned in critical locations to be able to respond if any difficulties do crop up at switches.
Bridges and Tunnels
MTA Bridges and Tunnels is ready to battle winter weather with 97 conveyors, pay loaders, front loaders and pick-up trucks with plows to clear snow, along with nearly 9,000 tons of anti-corrosive de-icer.
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