Watch: Time lapse of bridge move on LIRR Expansion Project

The Willis Avenue bridge move took place in one weekend.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Construction & Development recently pushed the second of two railroad bridges into place on Willis Avenue under the main line.

Two weekends earlier, a bridge was pushed under the Oyster Bay branch. The underpass construction is part of the LIRR Expansion Project, which will add a third track from Floral Park to Hicksville.

Crews began preparing to push the two bridges into place back in February of 2020 with the relocation of utilities, signal modifications, excavation for the underpasses, and other work. The roadway was closed in November of 2020.

During the past weekend, tracks and supporting soil on the main line at Willis Avenue were removed. A bridge constructed on the site was pushed into place by a series of hydraulic jacks 20 in. at a time before having to be reset. The structure was moved more than 60 ft into place. LIRR crews then installed electric, communications and power systems, and restored service in time for Monday morning’s peak commute.

Workers have now begun final road construction so vehicles and pedestrians can safely pass under both the main line and the Oyster Bay branch on Willis Avenue. The roadway is scheduled to be reopened this fall.

In all, eight grade crossings were eliminated and five underpasses were constructed at Covert Avenue in New Hyde Park, New Hyde Park Road on the Garden City/New Hyde Park border, Willis Avenue (main line and Oyster Bay branch), School Street in Westbury, and Urban Avenue in New Cassel. 

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