Mineola – Highlights on Upcoming Construction

Mineola

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 February, you will see crews performing the following construction activities in Mineola:

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

Willis Avenue Grade Crossing Elimination Project

• Willis Avenue is closed entirely to vehicular traffic between 3^rd Street and 2^nd Street for the elimination of the street-level grade crossings for both the Main Line and the Oyster Bay Branch
  • During the closure, Front Street, between Willis Avenue and Roslyn Road, will remain a two-way roadway accessible to local traffic from Roslyn Road
  • The western portion of Front Street, between Main Street and Willis Avenue, will be accessible to two-way local traffic from Main Street.
• Click here to view the vehicular detour map, which will be in affect through third quarter of 2021
• Crews are progressing the installation of support of excavation (SOE) along Willis Avenue and are beginning to prep the area for excavation
  • Sheet piles (SOE) are being installed using vibratory hammers to form a wall for earth support which is required for excavation
  • Crews will continue to excavate on both the north side and the south side of the Main Line tracks throughout the month of February
• 2nd Street is currently closed at the intersection of Willis Avenue while crews grade the roadway to align with the future underpass at Willis Avenue.
  • Cast in place and precast concrete retaining walls are currently being installed at the intersection of Willis Avenue and 2^nd Street
  • Additionally, curbs and sidewalks will be installed, and the roadway will be repaved in February
• Access to businesses along Willis Avenue and 2^nd Street are being maintained throughout the closure
  • Pedestrians looking to access the businesses on the north and south sides of the tracks, click here to view the pedestrian detour map
• A two-way grade-separated underpass is being constructed in place of the Willis Avenue grade crossings and will improve safety for motorists and commuters
  • Click here for more information about the future permanent configuration of the roadway

Main Street Grade Crossing Elimination Project

• On February 26th, the Main Street grade crossing will permanently close to vehicular traffic. Click here to read more about this activity.

Mineola Station Enhancement Project

• On February 22nd, following the commissioning of the New Nassau 1 Interlocking & Signal System, the Main Line tracks will be renamed to conform to the future permanent system accounting for three tracks. The naming system as follows will affect Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, and Westbury Stations:
  • Track 3 – Westbound platform (north)
  • Track 1 – Currently accessible eastbound platform (south)
  • Track 2 – Future 3rd track (currently under construction)
    • Updated station signs will reflect this information.
  • The Mineola Station House will close temporarily while renovations are underway
    • A temporary ticket house will be established on the north side of the station
    • This temporary facility has been delivered and is expected to be operational this Winter
  • Construction of the center-most pedestrian overpass at the station will continue throughout February.
    • Crews are currently forming and pouring the foundations of the overpass, on both the north and south sides of the tracks.
    • Following the formation of the foundation, steel erection will begin
  • Foundation work on the new south support building is Following foundation work, crews will progress the installation of concrete blocks to form the support building
  • Crews are working to progress the excavation and installation of precast foundations for both the eastbound and westbound platforms
    • Once the foundations are installed, precast platforms and canopies will begin to be erected
    • Commuters will see crews working on north platform construction overnight throughout February
  • The construction of retaining walls on the south side of the tracks along the railroad right-of-way is continuing throughout February
  • Crews from EJ Electric will continue to install underground utilities in the Mineola Station area throughout the month of February
  • Commuters will continue to access temporary platforms and walkways, extending westward off of the existing platforms
    • Click here to see the LIRR service change notification with more information on available ingress and egress points

G16 Substation Replacement

• The demolition of the existing brick substation facility on Main Street is scheduled to begin in February
• Construction of the new G16 Substation will begin to progress this month
  • Support of excavation (SOE) will be installed to provide the support necessary for the new substation foundation
  • Following the installation of SOE, crews will work to install the grounding grid of the substation
  • Residents will see crews working both during the day and overnight on this project element
• Crews from EJ Electric will continue to install utilities in the new G16 footprint throughout the month of February
• In adherence to our commitment to minimize disruption to the community, noise, dust, and vibration are continuously monitored

Nassau 1 Interlocking

• EJ Electric will be working overnight on the tracks between Denton Avenue and Mineola Station for the first three weeks of February on utilities for the New Nassau 1 Interlocking & Signal System
• Over the weekend of February 20-21, the new Nassau 1 Interlocking & Signal System will be commissioned
  • Crews from 3TC, their subcontractors, and LIRR will be present along the corridor from Floral Park through Mineola during the weekend double track outage to commission the new system
  • Following the commissioning and cut over of the New Nassau 1 Interlocking & Signal System, crews will begin to remove old switches and outdated equipment along the right-of-way

Wall Construction

• Sound wall construction is progressing on the north side of the tracks from Herricks Road to Mineola Station
  • Residents will see crews working along the tracks setting steel posts and installing retaining and sound wall panels.
  • This work will take place during the day over two weekends in February
• Crews are progressing the installation of retaining wall and security fencing between Roslyn Road and Glen Cove Road on the south side of the tracks
  • Residents will see crews working both during the day and overnight on this project element
• From Willis Avenue to Roslyn Road, 3TC is continuing to excavate and install retaining wall panels on the south side of the tracks
• In adherence to our commitment to minimize disruption to the community, noise, dust, and vibration are continuously monitored

Harrison Avenue Parking Structure

• Construction on the Harrison Avenue Parking Structure is substantially complete
• Crews are in the process of commissioning and testing the garage to ensure complete functionality and safety requirements are met
• This new five-level, 551-space parking garage has been constructed to replace the former surface parking lot area west of Mineola Boulevard, between Harrison Avenue and First Street, and will serve both LIRR commuters and downtown Mineola. The new garage will represent a net increase of 446 parking spaces
• Click here to read more about the construction of the parking structure

Permanent Utility Pole Installation

• • Crews from EJ Electric are working during the day and overnight setting permanent utility poles along the railroad right-of-way on both the Main Line and the Oyster Bay Branch
    • Once the poles are installed, crews will be able to safely relocate cables from temporary poles to the permanent poles
    • Heavy construction equipment including vacuum trucks, cranes, bucket trucks, and more, are needed for this work
    • Residents will see crews working both during the day and overnight on this project element
    • 3TC is contractually committed to performing ongoing environmental monitoring including air quality, vibration levels, and noise levels

LIRR Work Along The 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 LIRR service changes and/or changes to station access, please visit www.MTA.info/LIRR