LIRR third track plan gets green light

<p>The third track will run between Hicksville and Floral Park and is meant to improve train service.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 12, 2017, 11:32 AM

Updated 2,485 days ago

Share:

State Senate Republicans approved funding for the Long Island Rail Road's third track plan Tuesday at a cost of nearly $2 billion. 
The plan involves adding a track on the main LIRR line between Floral Park and Hicksville, which is 9.8 miles. 
Some residents in those communities say they are disappointed and are worried the MTA will not keep their promises about protecting the quality of life of neighbors along the tracks.
Floral Park's William Corbett has been fighting the proposal for years, concerned about the impact on communities that border the tracks.
"The governor is promising commuters a summer of hell. I think with this new project we're looking towards a decade of disruption." said Corbett. 
Village mayors say they have come to an agreement with the MTA about how those issues will be handled down the road.  
"The [Memorandum of Understanding] addresses those things in a general term. There will be more specific terms as we go along with the design build team and construction companies," said Floral Park Mayor Dominick Longobardi. 
The MTA says the additional track will allow the LIRR to run more trains in both directions. Gov. Andrew Cuomo hailed the project as a major victory for the region's economy.
"Getting on the LIE is not what sells Long Island. It's the LIRR. Making the LIRR run better isn't just better for commuters, it's better for all Long Islanders," said Gov. Cuomo. 
The project will also modernize LIRR signals, remove a number of street-level railroad crossings and build noise-deflecting walls.


More from News 12
10:39
Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at Stony Brook University

Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at Stony Brook University

1:47
Sun and warm temps through end of workweek, rain possible this weekend

Sun and warm temps through end of workweek, rain possible this weekend

0:25
Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

Suffolk police: Plane lands safely on Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai

1:37
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:13
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

0:27
MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

1:46
What's Cooking: Steak Taco

What's Cooking: Steak Taco

2:57
Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state

2:01
US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

0:33
Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

0:53
USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments