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In preparation for the approaching Hurricane Sandy and so-called "super storm," several East Coast passenger railroads have suspended service today, according to various reports.

Among those shutting down operations: Amtrak (service along the eastern seaboard); MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR); MTA Metro-North Railroad; MTA New York City Transit; Maryland Transit Administration; New Jersey Transit; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Port Authority Transit Corp.; Port Authority Trans-Hudson; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; Virginia Railway Express; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Service suspension was necessary to ensure public safety, as well as to secure and protect railroad equipment and infrastructure from strong winds and flooding expected to hit the East Coast, according to the reports.

For example, LIRR has removed or secured grade crossing gates systemwide to protect them from high winds. The railroad manages 295 crossings and 690 crossing gates, LIRR officials said.