Increased Parking Availability a Key Component of LIRR Expansion Project
Additional Westbury Station Improvements Include Benches, Wi-Fi, Security Cameras and Bike Racks
See Photos of the Garage
See Video from Today’s News Conference
MTA Acting Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber and Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng today opened a key component of the LIRR Expansion Project, a new 683-space garage located at the Westbury LIRR Station. The garage is located at 325 Union Avenue, between Post Avenue and Linden Avenue, across the street from the Westbury LIRR Station.
The garage has two elevators that are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and includes 21 accessible spots. Complementing recent LIRR tech upgrades, the number of free spaces in the garage is displayed in real time via the LIRR Train Time app and on monitors mounted on the exterior of each entranceway.
The LIRR Expansion Project is a multibillion-dollar investment that aims to foster Long Island’s economic growth for generations by expanding the Main Line to three tracks between Floral Park and Hicksville, eliminating railroad crossings, expanding station parking, rebuilding stations along the corridor, renewing bridges and installing improvements requested by communities. Each component advances the goal of making travel on the LIRR safer, faster, more reliable and more comfortable.
“This project continues to be a model for how the MTA is delivering infrastructure projects better, faster and cheaper,” Lieber said. “Despite the challenges faced during the COVID pandemic, the Third Track project remains on schedule and on budget.”
“LIRR stations are the cornerstone to successful transit-oriented downtowns,” Eng said. “The ongoing work at Westbury Station, including this new parking facility, demonstrates our commitment to the future of Long Island. We're grateful for the community participation and feedback that was instrumental and helped us meet the needs of the public.”
“Riders along the main line are coming back to a more accessible and inclusive Long Island Rail Road with more options for on-site parking in our stations,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “In the short time that I have been here, the MTA continues to make accessibility a priority across all agencies.”
“Making improvements to our public transportation are a key part of getting our County back to normal,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “The availability of new parking spots at the Westbury LIRR station is an important component of the LIRR expansion project and will make a tremendous difference for many residents who rely on the train. Thank you to the MTA for keeping this project on track despite difficulties brought on by the pandemic.”
“This is yet another example of how successful MTA/LIRR can be by working together with labor to accomplish another great project. This success is for our riders who patiently wait for these projects to be completed,” said Anthony Simon, General Chairman of the SMART Union. “It was especially difficult over the last year and half due to Covid but once again we delivered for our commuters and they deserve it. We look forward to seeing a robust return to our system. Thank you all for the dedication and hard work.”
“The Village is excited and pleased that this important infrastructure improvement is coming to completion,” said Village of Westbury Mayor Peter Cavallaro. “The new garage will substantially increase the parking capacity at the Westbury Train Station for Village residents and non-resident commuters and provide additional substantial off-hours parking for our downtown business district. Many downtowns and train stations struggle with inadequate parking, and this new facility will provide the parking resources that we need now and for years to come.”
“The completion of the parking garage will allow my constituents a smoother commuter experience,” said Assemblymember Charles Lavine. “Especially with free parking on weekends, it will allow the Village of Westbury to attract more New Yorkers and greatly contribute to its economic growth during a critical time as we continue to rise from the pandemic.”
“The construction of the new parking garage provides much needed parking accessibility to the residents of New Cassel, Westbury, and the neighboring Carle Place Community,” said Town of North Hempstead Councilmember Viviana Russell.
The LIRR-owned garage includes 376 Village of Westbury Resident Permit spaces. More information on permits can be found on the village website. Members of the public have access to 307 daily metered spaces. Rates start at $6 for up to 20 hours on weekdays, and parking is free on weekends and holidays. The garage is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and operated by Allpro Parking.
Renovations at the Westbury LIRR station, located across the street from the parking garage, are expected to be completed in the fall of 2022. These additional station improvements include:
- Platform replacement to accommodate a new third track
- Platform canopies and station building renovation
- New furnishings including benches, shelters, and wayfinding
- CCTV security cameras to improve safety
- Extension of pedestrian tunnel and ADA ramps and elevators
- Free public Wi-Fi
- USB charging stations and digital information displays
- Bike racks and artwork
- Pocket park near Post Avenue
In 2017, the LIRR replaced the nearby Post Avenue Bridge to reduce trucks striking the bridge, resulting in train delays. The new bridge’s height clearance now allows trucks of up to 14 feet to safely pass underneath, improving LIRR system infrastructure and service reliability.
For more information visit AModernLI.com.