1. Home
  2. MTA projects
  3. LIRR Main Line Expansion

LIRR Main Line Expansion

The LIRR Main Line Expansion from Floral Park to Hicksville reduces congestion and delays, improves safety, and creates a more reliable rail network. The project includes 9.8 miles of new third track, the elimination of eight street-level grade crossings, modifications to seven rail bridges, ADA improvements and enhanced stations, and more.
Updated Jan 17, 2024
A train traveling on tracks

Details

  • Location
    Long Island
  • Type
    System Expansion
  • Status
    Complete

Area Map

Timeline

Planning
  • November 2016: Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released for public review
  • April 2017: Environmental review process completed
Pre-construction
  • December 2017: Design-build contract awarded to 3TC
  • January 2018: Limited Notice to Proceed
Construction
  • May 2019: Cherry Lane bridge project complete
  • August 2019: South Tyson Avenue bridge project complete; beginning of new third track installed
  • September 2019: Urban Avenue grade crossing complete
  • October 2019: Nassau Boulevard bridge project and Covert Avenue grade crossing complete
  • April 2020: Plainfield Avenue bridge project complete
  • June 2020: Glen Cove Road bridge project complete
  • August 2020: New Hyde Park grade crossing complete
  • September 2020: Meadowbrook Parkway bridge project complete
  • November 2020: School Street grade crossing complete
  • February 2021: Main Street grade crossing complete
  • June 2021: Floral Park Station ADA upgrades complete
  • August 2021: Westbury North Parking Structure complete
  • September 2021: Willis Avenue grade crossing complete
  • November 2021: Carle Place Station enhancements complete
  • February 2022: South 12th Street grade crossing complete
  • August 2022: Denton Avenue bridge project complete; first block of third track commissioned
Completion
  • October 2022: Project completed

About the project

This transformative $2.6 billion project goes beyond constructing a much-needed third track to enable more robust and reliable rail service.

The LIRR’s Main Line is the central artery of the commuter rail system in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The 9.8-mile section of the Main Line between Floral Park and Hicksville services the Hempstead, Ronkonkoma, Oyster Bay, and Port Jefferson Branches, as well as some Montauk Branch trains. But bottlenecks on this portion of the line have for decades led to delays across the entire LIRR system.

The project includes the elimination of eight street-level grade crossings, modifications to seven rail bridges, installation of sound and retaining walls throughout the corridor to reduce train noise, ADA improvements and enhanced stations, new substations, new parking facilities, landscaping, and more.

This results in reduced train congestion and delays, true bi-directional service during peak hours, and a more reliable rail network. It will improve commutes and safety for over 300,000 daily riders LIRR system-wide. The project will make living and working on Long Island easier, ensuring the region’s economic prosperity now and for the next century.

Project benefits

  • Safer, quieter crossings
  • Noise reduction
  • Fewer delays
  • Better reverse commuting options 
  • Less congestion and cleaner air
  • Station enhancements
  • New parking facilities
  • Improved accessibility