Elmont LIRR Signal Work Brings More August Weekend Changes

Long Island Rail Road riders using Elmont-UBS Arena should plan for additional weekend service changes in August while the MTA continues switch and signal work near the station.

The remaining scheduled work windows are August 1-3, August 8-10, August 15-17, and August 22-24, 2026. The exact trains, replacement services and station impacts may vary by date, so riders should check the MTA’s current service information before leaving home.

July suspension has ended

The project already caused a full service suspension through Elmont-UBS Arena from July 24 through July 27. That disruption was tied to testing and commissioning work associated with the infrastructure project.

For Elmont residents, commuters and visitors traveling to UBS Arena, the July suspension offers a preview of why trip planning will remain important during the August work periods. Not every train or weekend will necessarily be affected in the same way, and the MTA’s station- and date-specific notices will control the available options.

Why the MTA is doing the work

The MTA says crews are installing new switches and signals near Elmont-UBS Arena. The stated goal is to improve reliability and increase speeds for eastbound Huntington and Ronkonkoma trains serving the station.

Those are intended future benefits, not improvements that should be assumed during the construction period. In the short term, the work can require schedule changes, suspended service, replacement buses or different routing.

Alternative travel options

The MTA has identified several possible alternatives for affected riders, including nearby LIRR stations, shuttle buses, NICE buses and alternate LIRR branches. Which option makes sense will depend on the specific weekend, the rider’s origin and destination, and whether an event is taking place at UBS Arena.

UBS Arena visitors may also have event-related routing options through Jamaica or Mineola under MTA ticket arrangements. Those options should be reviewed alongside the event’s travel information rather than treated as a universal substitute for direct service to Elmont-UBS Arena.

Elmont is a hamlet in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, and the station is a key transit point for both local riders and arena visitors. Because replacement-service details can change from one work window to the next, riders should verify the latest MTA notice, train schedule and station guidance before traveling.

Sources

• MTA Long Island Rail Road summer 2026 service changes notice
• News 12 Long Island report on LIRR signal work
• CBS New York report on MTA service changes