NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul joined with Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials Monday, Aug. 15, for a ceremonial first ride and press conference marking the opening of the first section of the Long Island Rail Road’s Main Line Expansion Project, also known as the Third Track project.
A 3-mile section of the 9.8-mile project, adding a third main line between Floral Park and Hicksville, N.Y., was placed into service in time for Monday’s morning commuter rush. Hochul and officials including MTA CEo Janno Lieber and Catherine Rinaldi, LIRR interim president, rode to New Hyde Park, the site of the press conference.
“The opening of the Third Track marks a huge milestone for commuters and visitors that is decades in the making,” Gov. Hochul said, according to an MTA press release. “Thanks to this extraordinary project, LIRR trains will run more often, and passengers will have a smoother ride than ever.”
Lieber said, “Long Island leaders have talked for generations about adding a third track and finally it’s here. The MTA is investing billions in Long Island and the results are clear: more frequent service and greater reliability, along with strengthened reverse commuting service to give Long Island businesses access to a much bigger labor pool.” And LIRR Interim President Catherine Rinaldi, also Metro-North president, said the project “has upgraded stations with a host of modern amenities, created a more resilient system that can better handle service disruptions, and made it easier for LIRR customers to make convenient reverse peak trips.”
The third project, along with the forthcoming opening of Grand Central Madison, the East Side Access station for LIRR beneath Grand Central Terminal, will see weekday service on the LIRR Main Line increase from 56 to 94 trains daily.
The MTA says the Main Line Expansion Project is on schedule and $100 million below budget.
Gee, 100 million under budget and on schedule. Where are all the “NY can’t do anything on time and on budget” commenters? Crickets.