LIRR service between Hicksville and Mineola back to normal for Monday commute

The morning commute is expected to return to normal Monday for thousands of Long Island Rail Road passengers after a weekend bridge demolition caused service to be suspended between the Hicksville and Mineola stations.

Service on the railroad's Main Line is scheduled to be restored after the demolition of the Ellison Avenue Bridge, which runs above LIRR tracks in Westbury, an LIRR spokeswoman said Sunday.

"Work is progressing as it should and should be completed in the very early morning hours," Meredith Daniels said. "We expect a normal rush hour."

The railroad suspended service over the weekend so the demolition could be completed.

LIRR officials estimated 40,000 passengers faced significant delays over the weekend when service was suspended, with travel times 40 to 60 minutes longer than normal during the demolition.

The disruption had been scheduled to run through Sunday, the LIRR said.

The two-lane Ellison Avenue Bridge, with walkways on both sides, was constructed in 1941. The bridge replaced an overpass that dated to the late 19th century.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years

Ellison Avenue is a major north-south road through the village, carrying thousands of cars weekly. The road has been closed to automobile traffic since April 15.

The $17.5 million construction project includes erecting a new bridge and installing sidewalks, curbs and fencing. It is scheduled to open in June 2016.