Final stretch of LIRR’s $2.5 billion 'third track’ finished

It’s finally completed. The Long Island Rail Road line connecting New York City with Nassau County’s governmental seat and other points east now has a third track. And that could mean not only more trains along a nearly 10-stretch between Floral Park and Hicksville, but added benefits to neighboring lines and traffic.

The Third Track Project, completed Oct. 3, is the latest addition to the LIRR’s rail network, giving the Metropolitan Transportation Authority the ability to carry more trains on the track, as well as better flexibility moving trains in both directions during peak hours.

For commuters, this could mean fewer service disruptions and delays along the busy line that connects to Ronkonkoma, Huntington, Port Jefferson, Hempstead and Oyster Bay, meaning potentially fewer riders on those lines passengers might choose as alternatives. For those choosing to drive, it eliminates grade-crossing at seven different intersections, meaning fewer delays whenever trains roll through.

Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the completion of the third rail alongside MTA executives at a garage next to the LIRR’s Westbury station.

"The completion of the historic third track project connects commuters with a more resilient and flexible railroad with frequent service, modern stations, ADA accessibility, and more travel opportunities for Long Islanders and visitors," said Hochul of the $2.5 billion construction project that finished $100 million under budget.

The project kicked off in 2019 after decades of battles over how such a track would be constructed. Many living around the affected areas — along with the local officials who represented them — bristled at the idea of having the new set of rails potentially cut through private property.

The current design began in 2016 under the backing of Hochul’s predecessor, Andrew Cuomo. This time, the plan didn’t involve taking residential property while adding other infrastructural perks including landscape improvement, retaining walls, parking garages, improvements to rail bridges, and the removal of eight street-level grade crossings.

The plan also refurbished stations in Mineola, New Hyde Park, Carle Place, Merillon Avenue and Westbury.

The project was carried out in three phases with the first leg of track through New Hyde Park and Merillon Avenue finishing last August. The second stretch of track to Mineola completed weeks later, with the last section crossing the finish line at Hicksville.

There is still, however, minor station work left to complete.

Catherine Rinaldi, LIRR’s interim president, says the rail system expansion couldn’t come at a better time as the new Manhattan East Side terminal Grand Central Madison — a heavyweight project in itself — comes into operation in the coming weeks.

“When combined with the new terminal at Grand Central Madison and the newly renovated LIRR concourse at Penn Station, LIRR customers will have more frequent service, upgraded stations with a host of modern amenities, and easier reverse peak trips," Rinaldi said.

The third track’s ability will allow the two-way flow of trains on the mainline during the railroad’s busiest hours.

This, MTA chief executive Janno Lieber said, will be “a huge boon for Long Island businesses, since it will increase access to the region's talent pool by enabling not only a 40 percent overall increase in LIRR service, but a huge uptick in reverse peak train frequency.

“It's a win-win-win.”

Have an opinion about the Third Track? Send an email to jlasso@liherald.com.