Third Track project completed on Long Island – Telemundo New York (47)

what to know

• The new 9.8-mile trail runs from Floral Park to Hicksville.
• Completion of the historic Third Track project connects commuters to a more resilient and flexible railroad with frequent services, modern stations, ADA accessibility and greater travel opportunities for Long Islanders and visitors, Governor Hochul said.
• With only minor works to be completed on the station, the project is headed for the $ 100 million under budget nearly four years after it began.

NEW YORK – New York Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated on Tuesday the completion of the historic Long Island Rail Road third track project on time and within budget.

The new 9.8-mile track runs from Floral Park to Hicksville, giving the railroad greater operational flexibility to minimize service disruption and increase service by 41% system-wide when Grand Central Madison opens by the end of the year. year, while improving security and creating a real two way LIRR, to revive the local economy.

Completion of the historic Third Track project connects commuters to a more resilient and flexible railroad with frequent services, modern stations, ADA accessibility and greater travel opportunities for Long Islanders and visitors, Governor Hochul said. “I applaud the MTA, the local communities and the hardworking women and men of organized labor who have worked together to deliver this transformative project on time and within budget.”

The Third Track project is one of many smaller projects related to the big picture, which is the $ 2.5 billion Long Island Railroad mainline expansion project, which includes the refurbishment of five LIRR stations along the route (New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place and Westbury), the removal of eight railroad level crossings, the improvement of seven railway bridges, the extension of car parks, the installation of new sound-absorbing barriers and the improvement of the landscape.

With only minor works to be completed on the station, the project is headed for the $ 100 million under budget nearly four years after it began.

“This project is delivered on time and with $ 100 million under budget, thanks to design and construction contracts and many other new and innovative project management strategies,” said Janno Lieber, President and CEO of MTA. “It is particularly surprising that all of this was accomplished during a global pandemic and with no expropriation of residential properties. It demonstrates that the MTA can deliver on its promise to bring megaprojects faster, better and cheaper. And this expansion will be a boon to Long Island. “businesses as it will increase access to the region’s talent pool allowing for not only an overall 40% increase in LIRR service, but also a large increase in reverse peak frequency. It’s an advantage for everyone. “

The newly built Third Track is physically the southernmost track of the roadbed and will carry the service east. It opened in three sections, with the first leg opened on August 15 through New Hyde Park and Merillon Avenue and the second leg in Mineola on August 30. Basically, the construction was completed without the need for residential real estate acquisitions and with an unprecedented amount of input from the community.

The LIRR mainline expansion project is part of an unprecedented $ 17.7 billion investment to transform and modernize the Long Island Railroad. That money is financing more than 100 projects, including the opening of the service at Grand Central Madison, the construction of a more spacious LIRR Concourse at Penn Station and a new entrance on 33rd Street, the refurbishment and upgrade of 36 stations and 17 bridges, activation of the positive train control safety system, installation of 13 miles of a second track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, upgrades to 15 electrical substations, increased parking capacity, site expansions and more.

Additionally, the MTA, along with NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak, plans to seek federal funding to rebuild Penn Station into a world-class one-level terminal.