New Cassel – Highlights on Upcoming Construction

New Cassel

Significant progress has been made on the LIRR Expansion Project from Floral Park to Hicksville, one of the region’s most noteworthy transportation projects. While the duration and intensity of work depends on the project element under construction, the 3^rd Track Constructors team is phasing elements to reduce the amount of disruption in any given community at any given time.

During the month of September, you will see crews performing the following construction activities in New Cassel:

Completion dates are subject to change due to developments related to COVID-19

School Street Grade Crossing Elimination Project

• School Street is currently closed to vehicular traffic between Railroad Avenue and Union Avenue, until November 2020
• On the north side of the tracks, crews will continue to form the concrete U-structure which will be the foundation for the underpass. The U-structure will support the new LIRR bridge which accommodates the additional third track of the Main Line
  • Heavy construction equipment is necessary for this work including large cranes and concrete trucks
• On the south side of the tracks, precast panels have been set along the newly excavated roadway.
• Throughout September, crews continue to excavate and grade the south side of School Street to meet the new grade of the road of the roadway
  • Pedestrian access to Railroad Avenue has been reinstated, enabling pedestrians to get on and off of School Street.
• For the remainder of the closure, signage and detour plans are in place to help vehicles and pedestrians to navigate the area.
• The School Street grade crossing, located in the Village of Westbury and the Town of North Hempstead, is one of eight street-level crossings being eliminated as part of the LIRR Expansion Project. In consultation with the Village and the Town, the grade crossing is being reconstructed into a two-way grade separated underpass with a pedestrian sidewalk on the east side. Railroad Avenue will be reconstructed to maintain access to School Street.

Permanent Utility Pole Installation

• Crews from EJ Electric are working during the day and overnight setting permanent steel and wooden utility poles along the railroad right-of-way. Click here to read more about these utilities.
  • Once the poles are installed, crews will safely relocate cables from temporary poles to the permanent poles
  • Heavy construction equipment including cranes, bucket trucks, and more, are needed for this work
  • 3TC is contractually committed to performing ongoing environmental monitoring including air quality, vibration levels, and noise levels

Wall Construction

• On the north side of the tracks, from Urban Avenue to Sylvester Street crews are installing sound wall along the right of way
• On the south side of the tracks, security fencing is being installed along the right-of-way from School Street to Grand Boulevard
• In adherence to our commitment to minimize disruption to the community, noise, dust, and vibration are continuously monitored

G19 Substation

• Work on the G19 Substation is underway and will continue throughout the month of September
• Residents will see crews working in and around the substation area on the west end of Railroad Avenue and Broadway
• In adherence to our commitment to minimize disruption to the community, noise, dust, and vibration are continuously monitored

Nassau 3 Interlocking Switch Installation

• Beginning the weekend of September 12^th and continuing each weekend through October 24^th, there will be a series of weekend track outages along the main line for switch installation work at the New Nassau 3 Interlocking.
  • The project will take advantage of these shutdowns in order to perform critical work elsewhere along the alignment. During these weekends, you may see an increase in 3TC, its subcontractors, and LIRR crews performing work along the right-of-way.

LIRR Work along the Railroad Right-of-Way

• In addition to 3TC’s activities, you may see or hear LIRR forces working along the railroad right-of-way. These activities may include: Regular track inspection and maintenance; rail tie replacement; grade crossing elimination preparatory work
• To avoid LIRR service interruptions during peak commuting hours, LIRR work along the railroad right-of-way may take place overnight and on weekends. For more information, visit the post in the Community News section of LIRRExpansion.com

For up-to-date service changes and/or changes to station access, please visit MTA.info/LIRR