• Subscribe
  • Magazine
  • 40 Under 40
  • Supplier's Directory
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
    1. Rail

    Six Public Hearings This Week for LIRR Third Track Expansion Project

    Jan. 17, 2017
    There will be six public hearings this week on the LIRR Expansion Project, a new proposal to improve service options and reliability for hundreds of thousands of customers, reduce automobile traffic congestion, and improve safety and quality
    Related To: MTA Long Island Rail Road

    There will be six public hearings this week on the LIRR Expansion Project, a new proposal to improve service options and reliability for hundreds of thousands of customers, reduce automobile traffic congestion, and improve safety and quality of life for people in the project corridor. Experts will be on hand to outline the benefits of the project and the public is invited to give their feedback.

    The proposed project is completely different from prior proposals to expand track capacity on the LIRR’s Main Line. This project will include:

    • No residential property acquisitions
    • Eliminating all grade crossings within the 9.8 mile project corridor
    • Building sound walls to reduce noise
    • Station upgrades
    • Additional parking
    • Increased reliance on private construction industry expertise to minimize construction duration, impacts and cost
    • Unprecedented level of public outreach to engage local officials, homeowners and other stakeholders and use their input while the project is being planned

    “When Governor Cuomo first announced this much-needed new project to enhance LIRR service, he promised an unprecedented level of public engagement to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the community and riders,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast said. “We have kept that promise and have also made numerous other significant commitments in response to public input - all to minimize impacts to local neighbors. We are continuing to listen to the public and I encourage regional commuters and local residents alike to come out to our hearings.”

    This is the second round of public hearings for this project and an opportunity for the public to learn more about and comment on the project’s draft environmental study, which was published in November 2016 and is available on the project website.

    The hearing schedule is as follows:

    Jan. 17, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
    Yes We Can Community Center
    141 Garden Street, Westbury

    Jan. 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
    Mack Student Center at Hofstra University

    Jan. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
    The Inn at New Hyde Park

    At these hearings, the public can speak to experts from the LIRR and New York State Department of Transportation, and enter their spoken or written comments about the project and its draft environmental study.

    ADA-accessible shuttle buses to the hearing sites will be provided on a continuous loop between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. from Hicksville Station (south side of station building) on Jan. 17, and Mineola Station (near eastbound waiting room) on Jan. 18 and 19.