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 Hyde Park:
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.
G14 SUBSTATION REPLACEMENT
- Crews from 3TC and EJ Electric will continue to perform finishing work throughout the month of April.
- This work may require intermittent road closures.
- The G14 Substation is one of several substations along the Main Line being replaced or modified with new modern equipment.
COVERT AVE (3RD AVE EXTENSION) RE-ALIGNMENT
- Beginning this month, 3TC will begin modifying the 3rd Ave extension from Covert Ave in order to address various design challenges brought up once the road was operational.
- This will require a single lane closure Monday – Friday from 7am-4pm. 3rd Ave will always remain accessible during this activity.
NEW HYDE PARK STATION ENHANCEMENTS
- The South 12th Street Pedestrian Underpass is open. Riders can now use this newly installed station element to switch between westbound and eastbound platforms at South 12th
- 3TC will have to close the underpass for a short duration to install the permanent handrails.
- In addition, there are ongoing punch list items being addressed.
- Throughout April, 3TC is finishing its work on canopy columns, platform guardrails, and platform roofing throughout the station. Light fixtures, pavers, bollards, and other items that surround the station will also be installed.
- Rehabilitation work including electrical, brick and glass enhancements on New Hyde Park Station house is nearing completion and expected to open this month.
- Final on-street/platform signage, curbs, and sidewalks are being installed.
THIRD TRACK CONSTRUCTION
- Crews from J-Track will continue installing the Third Track ties and rails from South 11th St to Denton Ave.
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.