Community Corner

Despite Midday Bridge Fire, Metro-North Service Restored

The MTA gave the all-clear after inspecting the Park Avenue Bridge for damage.

Update, 4:25 p.m.: With an exuberant cry of "We're back!" MTA spokeswoman Marjorie Anders said Metro-North train service has been fully restored following this morning's bridge fire.

"The bridge has been inspected. The structure is fine. The signal system is fine," Anders said. 

The MTA was working on alternative service plans and bracing themselves for rush hour as late as 3:50 p.m., but it turned out the preparations weren't necessary. Metro-North trains are running on schedule as of 4:10 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Update, 2:58 p.m.: Metro-North has resumed off-peak service on its New Haven line with scattered delays of up to 15 minutes, according to MTA Spokesman Sam Zambuto.

Zambuto said two of the Park Avenue Bridge's four tracks—shut off as a result of fire earlier in the late morning and early afternoon—are currently in use. 

Find out what's happening in Darienwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Assessment is continuing on the other two tracks," Zambuto told Patch. The two tracks are sufficient for off-peak demand, but MTA is holding off on any decisions about the afternoon rush until the condition of the others is determined.

"We'll be putting out information about the rush hour a little bit later," Zambuto said.

For the duration of the fire and subsequent inspections, Metro-North trains were traveling only as far as the Yankee Stadium station. Commuters were switching to and from subway trains at that point.

"Now that service is restored we're not doing that any longer," Zambuto said. "However, if there is an impact on rush hour that may change."

Update, 2:17 p.m.: The Park Avenue Bridge fire has been extinguished, MTA reports.

"We have engineers at the bridge checking the structural integrity of the bridge, and a decision will be made—pending the outcome of the engineers—when we will be able to run trains on the bridge again," MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz told Patch.

Ortiz said there is "enough capacity on the [subway] trains to meet demand for customers heading up to Yankee Stadium" at this time, but that rush hour demand has not yet begun.

"If you're in New York City, start heading home, now!" Jim Cameron, Chairman of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council, advised in an email to Patch.

"The Yankee Stadium service alternative is very limited and the crowding will be intense," Cameron said.

Update, 1:45 p.m.: Metro North is reporting that all service this afternoon and probably this evening will be staged out of the Yankee Stadium-East 153rd Street station. Customers should take the 4 or D line to 161st Street and walk west to the station.

MTA is cross-honoring Metro North Railroad tickets and passes for southbound travel, but northbound customers will have to buy a MetroCard.  

Southbound New Haven Line customers can transfer at Woodlawn-233rd Street for the 2 line.

Original article: Metro-North service into and out of Manhattan has been suspended indefinitely as a fire underneath the Park Avenue Bridge spanning the Harlem River continues to burn.

"A fire on the structure underneath the Park Avenue Bridge broke out at 11:45 a.m.," MTA Spokesperson Aaron Donovan told Patch. "As far as we know there have been no reports of injuries."

Trains are traveling as far as Yankee Stadium where passengers can transfer to the D or 4 subway line, Donovan said. New Haven trains are also stopping at the Metro North Woodlawn station at 233rd Street in the Bronx, where passengers can transfer to the 2 line.

Donovan said they are not sure if service will be restored in time for tonight's rush hour.

"We hope to have service back as soon as possible, but it will take some time to assess the damage," he said.


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