Villages along LIRR Main Line concerned about third track

New Hyde Park officials say the Long Island Rail Road’s third track project will have a major impact on the village and they will air their concerns at a public meeting on Thursday.

The meeting is an opportunity for the village LIRR task force to give updates to the community, and for residents to voice their concerns, New Hyde Park Mayor Robert Lofaro said.

Village officials said they are still waiting for detailed plans from the LIRR for the project, which calls for a 9.8 mile third track to be installed in Nassau County, from Floral Park to Hicksville. Villages along the LIRR Main Line, such as New Hyde Park, Mineola, Westbury, Floral Park, and others would be affected.

“It’s very difficult to say we support a project that we don’t even know what the plans are,” Lofaro said. “We will continue to challenge them to present to us a plan that has benefit to the residents of the village of New Hyde Park.”

Several mayors along the Main Line recently met with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, after they sent a letter to the Nassau County Village Officials Association objecting to the “ill-conceived” third track proposal, for which there was no “demonstrated compelling need.”

The letter, which asks the organization to echo opposition to the third track project, was signed by the mayors of the villages of Garden City, New Hyde Park, Bellerose, Stewart Manor, Floral Park, Mineola, South Floral Park and Westbury.

Until the LIRR provides more specifics, New Hyde Park officials have said they will continue opposing the third track project for multiple reasons, including increased noise, traffic, and freight.

The public meeting will be on March 3 at 8 p.m. at the Marcus Christ Community Center, at 1420 Jericho Tpke. in New Hyde Park.