LIRR wants to close 'dangerous' crossing

The Long Island Rail Road wants to close what it says is a dangerous pedestrian track crossing in Islip.

At a public hearing in Hauppauge on Tuesday, LIRR officials made their case for closing the crossing near the Islip train station. The small crossing does not have safety features, such as gates and flashing lights.

LIRR Deputy Chief Safety Officer Tim Doddo said at the hearing that while the railroad is aware of only one pedestrian strike at the crossing since 1980, the railroad receives "almost daily reports from our engineers" of close calls.

"There's numerous opportunities for near-misses at this crossing," Doddo said.

Despite the safety concerns, some residents have opposed the LIRR's plan, because it would inconvenience them in accessing the station platform from a parking lot on the other side of the tracks.

The LIRR proposes to fence off the crossing and build a walkway directing pedestrians to the Nassau Avenue crossing about 200 feet away. The LIRR has estimated the project would cost about $345,000.

The Department of Transportation, which must rule on the proposal, is accepting public comments through Dec. 7.

SEE PHOTOSLIRR trains and commuters through the years