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 3rd Track Constructors team is phasing elements to reduce the amount of disruption in any given community at any given time.
During the month of March, you will see crews performing the following construction activities in Garden City and Garden City Park:
Completion dates are subject to change due to developments related to COVID-19
Tanners Pond Rd / Denton Ave Bridge Replacement Project
- Crews continue utility relocation work to accommodate for the upcoming bridge replacement
- As a result, local road closures and detours are in place
- Tanners Pond Road/Denton Avenue are closed from Main Avenue to Railroad Avenue during this activity
- Thru traffic is being redirected to alternate routes. Work zone traffic control (WZTC) signage has been posted throughout the closure
- A concrete U-box substructure is being installed to support the new bridge superstructure. 3TC will use the box-jacking method (similar to the method used at the New Hyde Park Road underpass) which will allow 3TC to move the bridge into place during a single weekend
- Following utility relocation, steel assembly will begin with an anticipated “bridge push” scheduled for the weekend of 4/29
- The Tanners Pond/Denton Avenue Bridge is the last of seven bridges to be replaced or modified as part of the project
- The bridge is scheduled to be removed and replaced with a three-track structure to accommodate the new third track and improve safety
- An ADA-compliant sidewalk is planned on the east side of the roadway which will allow pedestrians to traverse safely between the north and south sides of the tracks
Wall Construction
- On the north side of the tracks, from Nassau Boulevard to approximately Cornelia Avenue, crews will install support of excavation (SOE) to support upcoming wall construction
Merillon Avenue Station Enhancement
- 3TC has substantially completed its work on the Merillon Avenue Station. We can now begin the process of restoring the area in its permanent condition
- As a result, there will be ongoing punch list work at the station throughout the month.
- Both elevators are now fully operational and available for use
Nassau 3 Interlocking & Signal System and Divide 1 System
- The new system is a necessary component of a comprehensive modernization effort to streamline operations, optimize flexibility, and ensure the safe movement of trains along the corridor
- Crews are continuing to work toward the cutover (scheduled for the weekend of 3/12) of the New Nassau 3 Interlocking & Signal System and Divide 1 System from School Street to the Wantagh State Parkway along the right of way
Upcoming Double Track Outages
- In this instance, a double track outage means both tracks on the Main Line are planned to go out of service, enabling critical infrastructure improvements during the weekend when LIRR service interruptions do not affect peak commuting hours
- To reduce the overall project schedule Both 3TC and LIRR crews may work during these double track outages
- In the month of March, four double track outages are scheduled — March 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28.
- During the weekends of 3/19-3/21 and 3/26-3/28, crews will be removing and installing new track switches. Residents may hear louder noises and feel vibrations during this work. Your patience is greatly appreciated while this critical work takes place
- Information for Commuters:
Port Jefferson Branch:
- Buses replace trains between Mineola and Huntington:
- Mar 5 – 7,Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 5:00 AM — To plan your trip, please visit the MTA Planned Service Changes website
- No trains between Jamaica and Huntington:
- Mar 12 – 14, Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 5:00 AM — To plan your trip, please visit the MTA Planned Service Changeswebsite
- No trains between Jamaica and Hicksville: There is no service at New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, or Westbury. Consider using the Babylon or Hempstead Branches instead, which will have increased service all weekend
- Mar 19 – 21, Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 12:30 AM — To plan your trip, please visit the MTA Planned Service Changeswebsite
- Mar 26 – May 23 (Except Apr 16 – 18 and May 7 – 9 ,) Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 2:00 AM — To plan your trip, please visit the MTA Planned Service Changeswebsite
Ronkonkoma Branch:
- Trains run every 2 hours and are rerouted between Jamaica and Farmingdale, taking up to 50 minutes longer than normal
- Mar 5 – 7and Mar 12 – 14, Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 3:30 AM — To plan your trip, please visit the MTA Planned Service Changes website
- No trains between Jamaica and Hicksville:
- Mar 19 – 21,Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 12:30 AM — To plan your trip, please visit the MTA Planned Service Changes
- Mar 26 – May 23(Except Apr 16 – 18 and May 7 – 9,) Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 2:00 AM — To plan your trip, please visit the MTA Planned Service Changes website
Hempstead Branch:
- Increased service all weekend during the commissioning of the new signal system near Carle Place, a major step towards the completion of the LIRR Expansion Project.
- Mar 12 – 14,Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 4:00 AM — For more information, visit the MTA Planned Service Changes website
- Service increased to half-hourly to provide an alternative to the Port Jefferson Branch while switches are installed west of Hicksville. Minor schedule and connection adjustments
- Mar 19 – May 22(Except Apr 16 – 17 and May 7 – 8,) Saturdays and Sundays, 6:30 AM to 11:59 PM — For more information, visit the MTA Planned Service Changes website
Oyster Bay Branch:
- Eastbound trains leave 50 minutes earlier than usual
- Mar 5 – 6, Sat 1:00 AM to Sun 11:45 PM – To plan your trip, visit the MTA Planned Service Page
- No trains between Jamaica and East Williston. Trains run every two hours between Oyster Bay and East Williston. Shuttle buses connect East Williston, Mineola, and Hempstead, where train service is available to Jamaica, Penn Station, and Atlantic Terminal
- Mar 12 – 14, Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 4:00 AM — To plan your trip, visit the MTA Planned Services Page
- No trains between Jamaica and East Williston. Oyster Bay Branch trains will operate between Oyster Bay and East Williston, with bus service provided between Mineola and Hempstead for connections to and from points west
- Mar 19 – 21, Sat 1:00 AM to Mon 12:30 AM – To plan your trip, visit the MTA Planned Service Page
- No trains between Jamaica and East Williston. Oyster Bay Branch trains will operate between Oyster Bay and East Williston, with bus service provided between Mineola and Hempstead for connections to and from points west
- Mar 26 – May 23 Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 2:00 AM (Except Apr 16 – 18 and May 7 – 9.) – To plan your trip, visit the MTA Planned Service Page
Additional LIRR Work Along the Railroad Right-of-Way
- In addition to the activities described above, you may see or hear LIRR forces working along the railroad right-of-way at various times during the month
- To avoid LIRR service interruptions during peak commuting hours, LIRR work along the railroad right-of-way may be taking place overnight and on weekends
- For more information, visit the post in the Community News section of LIRRExpansion.com
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