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MTA announces Long Island Rail Road improvements

Posted: 20 December 2021 | | No comments yet

The MTA says the project will be a catalyst for other transit projects in the city, in particular the Long Island Rail Road which has seen plenty of investment in recent months.

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The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) has received significant investment in recent years

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board have approved a contract to Hitachi Rail STS, USA Inc., for the creation and installation of a new signal system at a complex of switches near Queens Village that will enable the Long Island Rail Road to improve and increase service along the Main Line between Hicksville and Floral Park, and help the new Elmont-UBS Arena Station become a two-way full service stop. The switching complex is known as the Queens Interlocking.

“This project advances upgrades necessary to create a completely modern switch and signal system for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR),” said Jamie Torres-Springer, President of MTA Construction & Development. “

With the LIRR Expansion and East Side Access projects on the horizon a modern switch and signal system will allow these projects to realise their full potential for more reliable, redundant, and safe service for riders.”

“Upgrading the Queens Interlocking is a vital component to unlock the full potential of a trifecta of projects: Mainline Expansion, East Side Access and the new Elmont-UBS Arena Station. As our riders continue to return, they are going to experience a new LIRR,” said Phil Eng, President of MTA Long Island Rail Road.

“Accomplishing this work in one of our busiest corridors while running over 200 trains daily through these work zones is testament to the ingenuity of our workforce. These new switches and signals will add redundancy, reliability and operational flexibility as we provide improved service for our customers while keeping an eye on future needs and changing ridership patterns. We’re excited for all that’s still to come for the LIRR and Long Island.”

As New Yorkers continue to return to the MTA’s services, projects such as this one will no doubt become ever more crucial to ensure that the US’ most populous city continues to have a leading public transit system.