LIRR Third Track Update - February 2021

During the month of February, you will see crews performing construction activities in Garden City and Garden City Park. Completion dates are subject to change due to developments related to COVID-19.

Merillon Avenue Station Enhancement

  • On February 15th, eastbound platform service will be extended to 12 cars
  • On February 22nd, following the commissioning of the New Nassau 1 Interlocking and Signal System, the Main Line tracks will be renamed to conform to the future permanent system accounting for three tracks. The naming system as follows will affect Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, and Westbury Stations:
    • Track 3 - Westbound platform (north)
    • Track 1 - Currently accessible eastbound platform (south)
    • Track 2 - Future 3rd track (currently under construction)
      • Updated station signs will reflect this information.
    • Construction on the ADA-compliant elevators is expected to be substantially complete this winter
      • Following the completion of construction, crews will begin commissioning and testing the elevators to ensure complete functionality and safety requirements are met
    • On the south side of the station, platform barriers and metal art railings are being installed along with brick enclosures and canopy roofing
    • On the north side of the tracks, crews will continue installing under-platform barriers along with guardrails and railings for the stairs and ramps
    • The installation of the station signage band along the westbound platform will take place this month during overnight hours
    • Please board and exit all trains (westbound and eastbound) from the first six cars at Merillon Avenue Station
      • For up-to-date information on ingress and egress please click here
    • Some parking spots will remain unavailable at Merillon Avenue Station; replacement parking is provided north of Merillon Avenue Station, along Broadway between County Courthouse Road and Herricks Road, on the south side of the street

Tanners Pond Road / Denton Avenue Bridge Replacement Project

  • Beginning this winter, crews will begin early utility relocation work to accommodate for the upcoming bridge replacement
    • As a result, local road closures and detours will be necessary
    • It is expected that Tanners Pond Road/Denton Avenue will close from Main Avenue to Railroad Avenue during this activity
    • Thru traffic will be redirected to alternate routes. Work zone traffic control (WZTC) signage will be posted throughout the closure.
  • The Tanners Pond / Denton Avenue Bridge is the last of seven bridges to be replaced or modified as part of the project
    • The bridge is scheduled to be removed and replaced with a three-track structure to accommodate the new third track and improve safety while maintaining the bridge's character
    • An ADA-compliant sidewalk is planned on the east side of the roadway which will allow pedestrians to traverse safely between the north and south sides of the tracks

Nassau 1 Interlocking

  • EJ Electric will be working overnight on the tracks between Denton Avenue and Mineola Station for the first three weeks of February on utilities for the new Nassau 1 Interlocking system
  • Over the weekend of February 20-21, the new Nassau 1 Interlocking system will be commissioned
    • Crews from 3TC, our subcontractors, and LIRR will be working during this double-track outage to commission the new system
    • Following the commissioning of the New Nassau 1 Interlocking system, crews will begin to remove old switches and outdated equipment along the right-of-way

Wall Construction

  • Sound wall construction is progressing on the north side of the tracks from 5th Avenue to the Merillon Avenue Station commuter parking lot
    • Residents will see crews working along the tracks drilling caissons into the ground, setting steel posts, pouring concrete, and setting wall panels
    • The installation of these walls requires the presence of heavy machinery and large trucks
  • In adherence to our commitment to minimize disruption to the community, noise, dust, and vibration are continuously monitored

G15 Substation Replacement

  • Work at the G15 Substation is beginning along Atlantic Avenue in Garden City Park
  • Residents will see crews working on this project element both during the day and overnight
  • In adherence to our commitment to minimize disruption to the community, noise, dust, and vibration are continuously monitored

New Hyde Park Station Enhancement Project

  • On February 22nd, following the commissioning of the New Nassau 1 Interlocking and Signal System, the Main Line tracks will be renamed to conform to the future permanent system accounting for three tracks. The naming system as follows will affect Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, and Westbury Stations:
    • Track 3 - Westbound platform (north)
    • Track 1 - Currently accessible eastbound platform (south)
    • Track 2 - Future 3rd track (currently under construction)
      • Updated station signs will reflect this information.
    • Construction of the permanent platforms at New Hyde Park Station is progressing
      • A temporary platform is being constructed in front of the new permanent platform on the south side of the tracks. This temporary condition will exist until the third track is complete and functioning along the corridor
    • On the north side of the station, crews are installing canopy roofing and art glass
    • On the south side of the station, under platform barrier is being installed as well as guardrails and railings for stairs and ramps
    • Renovations on the station house will continue including electrical upgrades, brick, and glass installation
    • Crews from EJ Electric are installing underground utilities in the New Hyde Park Station area throughout the month of February
    • For the remainder of the work, signage and detours are in place to help customers access the station. Click here to view the LIRR notification with a map of the new temporary station.

Permanent Utility Pole Installation

  • Permanent wooden and steel utility poles have been installed along the railroad right-of-way throughout Garden City Park and the Village of Garden City
  • Crews from EJ Electric will relocate cables from temporary poles to the permanent poles
    • Once utility lines have been relocated, temporary utility poles will begin to be removed
      • Intermittent lane closures may be necessary in order to facilitate this work
      • 3TC will coordinate closely with property owners prior to any necessary and anticipated power outages
    • Heavy construction equipment including cranes, bucket trucks, and more, are needed for this work

LIRR Work Along The Right-of-Way

  • In addition to 3TC's activities, you may see or hear LIRR forces working along the railroad right-of-way.
  • To avoid LIRR service interruptions during peak commuting hours, LIRR work along the railroad right-of-way may take place overnight and on weekends.
  • For more information, visit the post in the Community News section of LIRRExpansion.com.

For up-to-date LIRR service changes and/or changes to station access, please visit MTA / LIRR.