Metro North Back on Schedule After Bridge Fire

UPDATE: 4:10 p.m.

With an exuberant cry of "We're back!" MTA Spokesperson Marjorie Anders said Metro-North train service has been fully restored after this morning's bridge fire.

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

As late as 3:50 p.m. the MTA was working on alternative service plans and bracing themselves  for rush hour, which officially starts at 4:00 p.m. "If need be, we will combine trains, cancel trains, and continue to go to the outlying stations," Anders said at the time.

It turned out the contingency plans weren't necessary.  Metro-North trains are running on schedule as of 4:10 p.m.

UPDATE: 2:37 p.m.

Metro North regular off-peak train service has resumed in and out of Grand Central Terminal with scattered delays of up to 15 minutes, according to the MTA's Web site.

"The fire is under control and two of four tracks on the 138th Street Bridge have been restored. We continue to assess any damage on the remaining two tracks and its impact, if any, on the PM peak service," according to the special service notice. 

To see live video from the location of the fire, clickhere.

UPDATE: 1:55 p.m.

The Park Avenue Bridge fire has been extinguished.

MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz told Patch, "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."

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

Jim Cameron, Chairman of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council sent an e-mail message to Patch, with his advice for Conn. and Westchester residents currently in Manhattan. "If you're in New York City, start heading home, now!" he said.

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

UPDATE: 1:45 p.m.

Metro North is reporting that all service this afternoon and probably this evening will be staged out of the  Yankees - E 153rd Street station.  Customers should take the #4 or D subway to 161st Street and walk west to the new Metro North station.

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

Original Story

MTA service into and out of Manhattan has been suspended indefinitely while a fire underneath the Park Avenue Bridge that spans 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 St. in the Bronx, where passengers can transfer to the Number 2 subway 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.