Jamaica station overhaul: Gov. Kathy Hochul to announce $50M redesign

A reimagined Jamaica station will address cramped conditions and complicated connections to the subway and Kennedy Airport's AirTrain, transforming the busy LIRR junction into a “world class” transit facility, Gov. Kathy Hochul will announce as part of a $50 million redesign effort.

The overhaul of the Long Island Rail Road’s transfer hub is set to be part of her scheduled State of the State address Tuesday. The proposal, previewed to reporters Monday, will set aside the $50 million to fund the design of a modernized Jamaica station, which her office said “has been left far behind in terms of customer experience and investment,” even as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the state have invested billions in other LIRR facilities, including Penn Station and Grand Central Madison.

“Jamaica Station is a critical gateway for commuters on Long Island and travelers from around the world, but it has lacked investment for decades,” Hochul said in a statement. “Our plan will create a state-of-the-art transit hub in Southeast Queens that riders will use for generations to come." She is also set to announce an effort to extend the Second Avenue Subway.

The Jamaica project will aim to “create better traffic flow, reduce crowding,” and provide “seamless” connections to the adjacent subway and AirTrain.

With the exception of those on the Port Washington Branch, every LIRR train passes through Jamaica, making it the fourth-busiest commuter rail station in North America, behind only Penn, Grand Central Terminal, and Toronto’s Union Station, according to Hochul’s office. Jamaica became an even more critical part of the LIRR’s operation with the 2023 opening of a second Manhattan terminal, Grand Central Madison, which resulted in more frequent transfers  and longer waits for trains at Jamaica.

The 113-year-old, 10-track station, which was last renovated 23 years ago, is showing its age, with riders regularly complaining about the lack of modern amenities and the complicated layout. The station connects to the E, J and Z subway lines at street level and to the AirTrain at the upper level.

The railroad recently opened a new platform with two new tracks exclusively serving shuttle trains on the Brooklyn branch. The operation has drawn some complaints among Brooklyn commuters, who now regularly must travel from track level to the upper level, across the station and down again to switch trains.

LIRR Commuter Council chairman Gerard Bringmann said his wishlist for a reimagined Jamaica station would include elevators on the west end of the platforms, more plentiful seating, additional restrooms, new dining options and measures to shield commuters from the elements, especially during winter. Bringmann acknowledged there may be logistical hurdles in the way of some upgrades, but he said he hopes all will be considered.

“You sit down, you discuss, you throw things out. … You get the discussion going and you figure out what can work, what can’t work and how extensive you can go, and then take it from there,” Bringmann said. “Anything is an improvement. Let’s get the discussion started.”

Hochul’s office noted the MTA and the Port Authority, which owns and operates the AirTrain, have already begun “a joint effort to coordinate this project.”

The MTA has, separately, advanced a half-billion dollar effort to reconfigure Jamaica’s complex array of tracks and switches, with the goal of speeding up what LIRR officials call “the Jamaica  crawl,” so named because of the need for trains to slow down considerably through the junction.

Contractors recently completed a $169 million effort to build a new two-track bridge at a key switching point at Jamaica known as the Hall Interlocking that aims to untangle train routes and reduce travel times through the station by three minutes.

By Alfonso A. Castillo

alfonso.castillo@newsday.com@alfonsoreports

Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.