The MTA has finished building 9.8 miles of new track that officials say will dramatically expand Long Island Railroad service, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday.
The $2.5 billion effort — started under disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo — will add extra capacity to the commuter railroad, allowing officials to run more trains in both directions thanks to the extra rail capacity.
“This is just a dream,” Hochul said at an announcement on Long Island.
“We’re going to see a 40% increase in LIRR service. I mean, that’s astounding.”
Combined with a new LIRR terminal set to open later this year at Grand Central, the new track capacity will allow for a 40% increase in service, according to officials, including new “reverse-peak” eastbound service.
“It will increase access to the region’s talent pool by enabling not only a 40% overall increase in LIRR service, but a huge uptick in reverse peak train frequency,” MTA Chairman Janno Lieber said in a statement. “It’s a win-win-win.”
The project — which came in $100 million under-budget from its initial price tag — also included station upgrades at New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place and Westbury.
