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State to undertake $5M revamp of Valley Stream LIRR station

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Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a plan to modernize 16 of Long Island’s train stations in his annual Long Island regional State of the State address on Jan. 10. Among other projects, he proposed investing $5 million to upgrade the Valley Stream Long Island Rail Road station.

The planned upgrades will include a new platform and waiting areas, LED lighting, Wi-Fi, charging stations, digital information kiosks and public artwork displays.

“Enhanced LIRR stations will connect further than they ever have before,” Cuomo said in his address. “And these vital infrastructure projects will support environmental sustainability and bolster economic growth.

“With these projects, we equip Long Island … [with the] tools and resources to drive commercial activity, create jobs and build a stronger Long Island for generations to come,” he continued.

In all, the state will spend $120 million to upgrade LIRR stations in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Valley Stream resident Rob Fried, who commutes to Manhattan daily via the station, said he thought there should be more of an emphasis on LIRR safety. He was aboard the train destined for Atlantic Terminal on Jan. 4 that derailed, injuring 103 people.

“I think the Wi-Fi, the kiosks — that’s going to keep people informed,” Fried said. “But I think there needs to be more of an effort from the MTA specifically to make people more aware of what to do in an emergency.”

He said he believed the safety measures needed to go beyond voice-over messages urging riders to “watch the gap.” Fried added, however, that he thought the LED lighting would help, and that artwork improvements could make the station more attractive.

State Sen. Todd Kaminsky said in a news release that he would continue to advocate for LIRR enhancements. “The Valley Stream LIRR station is an integral transit hub in our region, and I applaud Governor Cuomo’s proposal to invest $5 million into upgrading it this coming year,” he said. “These new additions will make for a smoother and more user-friendly experience for all, and I look forward to securing these welcomed enhancements for our community.”

There was no word on when work would be completed at all 16 stations slated for improvement, but construction is already under way at Baldwin’s station.

In addition to the governor’s funding of renovations at the Valley Stream station, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Sept. 28 approved a $1.33 million project to repave parking lots at the Gibson, Little Neck and Cedarhurst LIRR stations.

On the north side of the Gibson station in Valley Stream is a 44-space, LIRR-owned parking lot operated by the village. The estimated cost to upgrade the lot is $310,000, and the work will be funded by the MTA’s capital program.