First stretch of LIRR’s Third Track project opens

Officials rode on a just-opened 3-mile stretch of track between Floral Park and Merillon Avenue stations.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, joined by leaders of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on a ceremonial first ride, announced the opening of the first section of the Long Island Rail Road's new Main Line Third Track.

Officials rode on a just-opened 3-mile stretch of track between Floral Park and Merillon Avenue stations, disembarking at the upgraded New Hyde Park Station. 

“The opening of the Third Track marks a huge milestone for commuters and visitors that is decades in the making,” Governor Hochul said. “Thanks to this extraordinary project, LIRR trains will run more often, and passengers will have a smoother ride than ever. Our partners at the MTA and the hard-working women and men of organized labor delivered an on-time, under budget project—and that’s something worth celebrating.”

The LIRR Main Line Expansion Project is part of an unprecedented investment of $17.7 billion in 100 projects to transform and modernize the Long Island Rail Road that also includes the opening of service to Grand Central Madison this year, construction of a more spacious Penn Station LIRR Concourse and a new entrance at 33rd Street, renewal and upgrading of 36 stations and 17 bridges, elimination of eight at-grade railroad crossings, activation of the Positive Train Control safety system, addition of 13 miles of second track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, upgrades to 15 electrical substations, parking capacity increases, yard expansions, and more. In addition to these transformational investments, the MTA, together with NJ Transit and Amtrak, plan to seek federal funding later this year to rebuild Penn Station into a modern, spacious, world-class single-level terminal that is open to natural light.

Major construction on the third track began in late 2018 and when fully opened later this year commuters along the main line corridor will have a mass transit solution that reduces road congestion and improves safety. Long Island businesses will reap the benefits of true bi-directional LIRR service that will fuel economic opportunity, enhance the knowledge economy and provide increased access to jobs and entertainment.

When combined with the opening of Grand Central Madison, the LIRR’s third track creates the ability to run more service on the main line. At New Hyde Park, service will increase by 67%. Currently, 56 trains run on weekdays. Under the new schedule, there will be 94.

Read more articles on track construction.