The New Hyde Park station will be temporarily shut down, on Feb. 3, as part of the ongoing 9.8-mile-long railroad construction project to build a third track between Floral Park and Hicksville, according to representatives with the Long Island Rail Road,
On Jan. 15, representatives with the Third Track Constructors met with members of the Lakeville Estates Civic Association to address residents’ concerns with the project, particularly, what the plans to close New Hyde Park Road will spell for local traffic patterns.
Bill Cutrone, president of the Lakeville civic group, said he was surprised by 3TC’s plans and responded by calling the offices of local elected officials.
“Nobody knew,” Cutrone said. “First it was one lane in each direction. Then a week-and-a-half ago we heard it would be closed entirely.”
At the meeting, 3TC representative Travis Brennan gave a presentation detailing that by closing the thoroughfare completely, between Plaza Avenue and Fourth Avenue, it will take builders two months less to complete their work, which will include the removal of hazardous railroad grade crossings and the installation of a five-lane underpass.
“It’s important that we disseminate this information and everyone knows what to expect,” Brennan said. “We’re certainly not going to make everybody happy. Construction is very difficult. It’s a challenge but in order to progress forward you have to have some struggles and you have to have some headache.”
To try and address local concerns, Brennan said LIRR commuters will be provided with a temporary 10-car station platform between South Eighth and South 12th streets, for the seven-month duration of the construction.
When finished, the new station aims to adhere to ADA regulations and will include WiFi and USB charging stations, improved security enhancements, digital information displays and more.
Brennan also indicated that, per Nassau County requirements, 3TC plans on reopening the west side walkway and will remove one of the temporary stop signs along New Hyde Park Road.
“From the Village of New Hyde Park’s standpoint, this has been a tremendous project for us. It’s not one that we wanted, honestly, but as you know, there was a lot of resistance to it,” said New Hyde Park Mayor Lawrence J. Montreuil, following the presentation. “But it’s here nonetheless and we have been working very closely with 3TC and the MTA for the past couple of years, to mitigate as much as possible, the adverse impacts of the project. There is no question there has been a lot of impacts.”
3TC’s vehicular detour plan was also a major focus of discussion, proposing to place heavier burdens on routes along Jericho Turnpike and Stewart Avenue to try and relieve the anticipated influx of traffic along Covert Avenue and Northern Boulevard.
This was a major concern for local residents like Mark K., who said he is most alarmed by what the road closure will mean for trucks taking New Hyde Park Road.
“It’s the only exit [on the L.I.E.] for trucks and trailers to go all the way from north to south on New Hyde Park Road,” he said. “Obviously I’m against it because the trailers and trucks are going to go through neighborhoods, probably, to cut across.”
According to the MTA, traffic headed northbound on New Hyde Park Road and Clinch Avenue, from Stewart Avenue, and traffic headed southbound on New Hyde Park Road from Jericho Turnpike, should be limited to local residential traffic only.
Montreuil explained that when the contractors first presented an environmental impact statement on the project, there were plans put in place for a bypass road.
“We resisted the idea to close New Hyde Park Road completely, in part, because of the high levels of traffic congestion we endured with the closure of Covert Avenue,” Montreuil said.
Despite the pleas from local officials, the project will continue as planned. When complete the project intends to reduce noise caused by local trains, ease traffic flow for both pedestrians and vehicles, and provide a new route to Grand Central Station.
3TC said that they have also been working to secure over 100 temporary commuter parking spots at 124 Covert Avenue and the Church of the Holy Spirit parking lot to help ease commuters with the temporary transition.
