The MTA is formally calling on Amtrak to reconsider its plan to keep one of the four East River Tunnels linking to Penn Station out of service for three years while it carries out Superstorm Sandy repairs — an "extremely risky" strategy that could result in rush hour shut downs of Long Island Rail Road service, according to the LIRR’s president.

Amtrak's East River Tunnel project is facing pushback from other transit officials and New York elected leaders. Amtrak says it has to repair damage from Superstorm Sandy, and the only way to do it is by closing multiple tunnels.