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 April, you will see crews performing the following construction activities in New Cassel:
WALL CONSTRUCTION
- Retaining and sound wall installation will continue on the north side of the tracks in New Cassel, from Sylvester Street to the Wantagh State Parkway and is nearing completion.
UTILITIES
- Crews from EJ Electric have begun the process of removing temporary utility poles across the entire project alignment.
- In some areas, workers may have to access private property in which case the project will coordinate in advance with individual business/property owners.
- This project element marks a substantial milestone for the LIRR Expansion Project as we inch closer to completion in Q4 of 2022.
THIRD TRACK CONSTRUCTION
- Crews from J-Track will continue installing the third track ties and rails from Urban Ave to Hicksville.
NASSAU 3 INTERLOCKING, SIGNAL 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.
- Following the successful cutover on the weekend of 3/12, crews will now begin the process of removing and installing the Divide 1 switches. For more information regarding this work and impacts associated, please see the following notice from the MTA.
UPCOMING DOUBLE TRACK OUTAGES
- Throughout the month of April, crews are working along the right-of-way on the weekends (including overnight).
- As the new Nassau 3/Divide 1 interlocking system is commissioned, installed, and becomes operational, work will be disruptive to those residents in the immediate vicinity.
- Separate from LIRR Expansion project work, the LIRR Track Program is advancing. During the next few weekends, the LIRR will use a Track Laying Machine (TLM), a special train used to replace concrete ties in large quantities across long stretches of track to replace wooden ties (which rot and deteriorate over time), with new, resilient concrete ties that have the potential to require little or no maintenance for decades.
- Although replacing concrete ties may increase noise and/or vibration during upcoming weekend work, modernizing the LIRR’s infrastructure will ultimately minimize the need for invasive trackwork for years to come.
April 2-3:
- Project Work:
- April 2: Friday 9:00 PM to Monday 5:00 AM
- Scope of work: Removal of Divide 1 switches and re-alignment
- Location: West end of Hicksville Station to Ellison Avenue
On April 2-3, most of the work involving heavy equipment will take place between Urban Avenue in New Cassel and Charlotte Avenue in Hicksville.
- LIRR Track Program:
- Time: Friday 9:00 PM to Monday 5:00 AM
- Scope of work: Replacing old rail and wooden ties with new rail and concrete ties
- Location of work taking place: East End of New Hyde Park Road to Merillon Ave Station
On April 2-3, most of the work involving heavy equipment will take place between South 11th Street in New Hyde Park and the Mineola LIRR Station.
April 9-10 and April 23-24:
- Project Work:
- Time: Friday 9:00 PM to Monday 5:00 AM
- Scope of work: Installation of Divide 1 Switch
- Location: West end of Hicksville Station to Elmwood hi-rail (Ellison Avenue) on April 9-10 and April 23-24
On April 9-11 and April 23-24 most of the work involving heavy equipment will take place between Urban Avenue in New Cassel and Charlotte Avenue in Hicksville.
- LIRR Track Program:
- Time: Friday 9:00 PM to Monday 5:00 AM
- Scope of work: Replacing old rail and wooden ties with new rail and concrete ties
- Location of work taking place:
- April 9-11: West End of Plainfield Rd in Floral Park stopping before Covert Ave in New Hyde Park
- April 23-24: East End of Covert Ave in New Hyde Park to New Hyde Park Station
On April 9-10 most of the work involving loud, heavy equipment will take place from the Floral Park LIRR Station to Denton Avenue in Garden City, and on April 23-24, between South 11th Street in New Hyde Park and Mineola LIRR Station.
April 29-May 1:
- Project Work:
- Time: Friday 9:00 PM to Monday 5:00 AM
- Scope of work: Denton Avenue Bridge Replacement
- Location: New Hyde Park road to Nassau Boulevard
On April 29-May 1, most work and heavy equipment will be between Herricks Road in Mineola and New Hyde Park Station.
For Commuters:
- Double track outages with significant impact to LIRR riders on the Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, and Oyster Bay branches are scheduled for weekends where the above work is taking place, with minor schedule adjustments for Hempstead Branch. For more information about changes to service, visit the MTA Planned Services Changes website (https://new.mta.info/alerts).
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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