LIRR Valley Stream Station In Need Of Urgent Overhaul: Blakeman

VALLEY STREAM, NY — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is calling out the MTA and the need for some train stations to be revitalized.

Blakeman is highlighting the Long Island Rail Road Valley Stream station as an example of local disrepair on the commuter line.

The county executive said in a release that years of requests for repairs at crumbling stations and overpasses in need of an overhaul have been "met with excuses" for not getting work done.

However, the MTA says it is committed to safety and upgrades across the system.

"The MTA's historic multi-billion-dollar investment in the modernization of the LIRR includes a new terminal in Manhattan and the addition of a third track between Floral Park and Hicksville, which opens its second of three segments today – a project that is on schedule and $100 million under budget. This project also includes total reconstruction of five stations – New Hyde Park, Merilon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place and Westbury, alongside a major renovation at Hicksville and delivering a new station at Elmont," MTA chief of external relations, John McCarthy said in a statement. "Moreover, the 2020-24 Capital Program that was approved by Mr. Blakeman's own representative on the MTA Board, includes more than $3.5 billion in LIRR investments. This includes station rehabilitation work at stations like Valley Stream and will be funded through the new Central Business District Tolling program.”

At the Valley Stream station on Tuesday, Blakeman was to point out rusting metal, weakened overpasses and dangerous crumbling concrete.

The MTA said all stations are regularly inspected and the Valley Stream station is "safe and structurally sound."

Valley Stream riders can expect to see new elevators and escalators, while the platform waiting rooms got an overhaul last year, the MTA said.