This weekend, MTA Construction & Development, LIRR, and 3rd Track Constructors made history once again with the successful installation of the new bridge that will eliminate the New Hyde Park Road Grade Crossing.
This incredible feat of engineering required the demolition of the existing tracks and the use of 20 hydraulic jacks – with 5,000 tons of force – to push a new 3,350-ton bridge and concrete U-structure 50 feet into place. Now that the superstructure is installed, finishing work on the grade crossing elimination will continue until approximately Labor Day, when the road is expected to reopen. Thanks to the efforts of the project team, the schedule for eliminating the New Hyde Park Road Grade Crossing has been reduced from nine months to just seven months.
New Hyde Park Road is one of eight LIRR grade crossings being eliminated as part of the project, which will enhance safety, reduce noise, and improve LIRR service reliability. The reconstructed roadway will feature a new, five-lane underpass with pedestrian sidewalks on the east and west sides of the road, and a dedicated left-turn lane onto Clinch Avenue.
We hope you’ll enjoy some of the photos showing this weekend’s incredible effort.
The elimination of the grade crossing will be a major improvement to public safety. In the photo above, taken on July 13, 1973, an intoxicated truck driver collided with a LIRR M1 train at the New Hyde Park Road crossing. This was just one of countless accidents at this location. [Photo: D. Morrison Collection]
Overnight on Friday, MTA and 3TC crews de-energized the third rail and removed track panels in advance of Saturday’s New Hyde Park Road underpass installation. Through the pandemic, or this weekend’s Tropical Storm Fay, our team of essential workers doesn’t stop.
On Saturday, crews remove bulkhead sheet piling to make way for the new underpass and train bridge.
One Jack at a Time: contractors slowly push the enormous concrete U-structure into place using the innovative “box-jacking technique.”
It Takes a Village: MTA LIRR Expansion Project Executive Director Anthony Tufano and New Hyde Park Mayor Montreuil join Village Trustees and residents coming to (safely) take a peek at the weekend work.
Fun Facts: MTA and 3TC crews used 20 hydraulic jacks with 5,000 tons of force to move the new 3,350-ton rail bridge 50 feet into place. With each push, the New Hyde Park Road bridge moves just 20 inches. [Photo Credit: MTA/Trent Reeves]
By late Saturday evening, the New Hyde Park Road underpass had been pushed into precise alignment with the LIRR Main Line, eliminating the former grade crossing. The next step: readying the tracks for Monday morning peak service.
Stunning drone’s-eye view of the weekend work
July 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The newly installed New Hyde Park Road rail bridge features ramps and a fully accessible pedestrian overpass for a safer and easier experience for all commuters and residents. (Photo Credit: T. Reeves)
Members of our “Dream Team” oversee track surfacing operations at the new overpass.
Work on the elimination of the New Hyde Park Road grade crossing continued on Sunday evening. Prior to mechanical tamping machines (above), ballast packing, which is critical for track maintenance, was done manually.
To stay informed about the LIRR Expansion Project, make sure to register for updates at – https://lirrexpansion.com/register-for-updates/. Should you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our 24/7 hotline, 516-203-4955 or email us at CommunityOutreach@LIRRexpansion.com.
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