Work on Second LIRR Track For Ronkonkoma Line Completed

FARMINGDALE, NY - The new train track for the LIRR Double Track project between Central Islip and Ronkonkoma was recently completed.

In addition, the final part of the project between Farmingdale and Central Islip has begun and should be completed by 2018.

"New York State is moving aggressively to bring our mass transit systems into the 21st century -- not just to meet the needs of our current population, but to foster smart, sensible and sustainable growth," Governor Andrew Cuomo said. "Adding a second track to the Ronkonkoma Branch is a project has been talked about for decades, but was never set into motion. "

According to the MTA, the second track, which will extend 13 miles between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, will "dramatically reduce delays on the LIRR and enable more off peak service in both directions."

The LIRR's Ronkonkoma Branch stops at Mineola, Hicksville, Bethpage, Farmingdale, Pinelawn, Wyandanch, Deer Park and Central Islip among others

"By pairing innovative equipment with our strategy of design-build construction, we are accelerating the pace of these types of critical infrastructure projects to improve Long Island commutes and strengthen the region's economy," Cuomo said. "Put simply, we are building today for a better tomorrow."

With only one track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma, there were only a limited amount of trains that could pass through and if one train becomes disabled, all other trains – coming from both east and west – have no way around the problem.

Under the new project, there will now be a train stopping every 30 minutes in both directions, according to the MTA.

The work for the entire project cost a total of $387.2 million and is completely funded by Cuomo and the State Legislature.

The first phase added 3.5 miles of track between Central Islip and Ronkonkoma.

Work for the second phase recently started, which primarily focuses on building the remaining track between Farmingdale and Central Islip, as well as signal installation the entire Farmingdale to Ronkonkema distance.

Photo by: Darren McGee/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, via Flickr.