QUEENS, N.Y. — The first segment of the Long Island Rail Road’s Third Track project, a $2.6 billion effort to add 9.8 miles of third main on the heavily used route between Floral Park and Hicksville, is slated to open for the morning commuter rush today (Monday, Aug. 15).
Newsday reports the 4-mile stretch between the stations at Queens Village and Merillon Avenue in Garden City is slated to open today, with the next section, 2 miles east to Carle Place, scheduled to open Aug. 29. Construction began in September 2018; the LIRR’s parent, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, says the project won’t reach “substantial completion” until April because of remaining work including landscaping and improvements at some stations.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber calls the opening of the third track “a transformational moment,” and says the project will allow the LIRR to increase service by about 40% by the end of this year. Along with the 9.8 miles of third main, other elements of the project have included improvements at six stations, rebuilding of seven interlockings, replacement or modification of seven bridges, and elimination of eight grade crossings. More details on element of the project are available at this website
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