What is the LIRR Expansion Project?
The LIRR Expansion Project is a key initiative of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s comprehensive plan to transform and expand our vital regional transportation infrastructure to strengthen our local economy, create jobs, enhance our environment and protect Long Island’s future. The project will improve transportation service, public safety, and quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people who travel, work and live on Long Island.
The project calls for the construction of a third track along a 9.8-mile stretch of the railroad’s heavily traversed Main Line corridor between the Floral Park and Hicksville train stations, and the elimination of the seven street-level train crossings along its route, among other benefits. These crucial infrastructure improvements would maximize the benefits of complementary LIRR projects, such as East Side Access to Manhattan and a second track from Farmingdale to Ronkonkoma. Every Long Islander stands to benefit from the new Main Line third track, which will improve reliability, frequency, and on-time service; provide new mass transit alternatives to driving into New York City; improve traffic, safety and noise conditions in communities with street level grade crossings; reduce noise levels along the tracks where retaining walls and sound attenuation walls would be installed; add commuter parking and enhance train stations in the project corridor.