Hempstead Town Joins Villages to Study LIRR Third Track Impact

The Town of Hempstead is partnering with the villages of Garden City, Floral Park and New Hyde Park to finance a study of the environmental impact of the LIRR's planned third rail expansion.

The $2 billion plan calls for adding a third track to the LIRR's main line between Floral Park and Hicksville, which the MTA says would allow more trains to come through the area and create more alternatives in case a train breaks down, easing delays.

The plan does not call for the state to use its eminent domain powers to take homes. The track will be built on the LIRR's existing right of way.

However, many residents from communities along the planned path have been nervous about the project and its impact. In December, the state released a 1,000-page environmental impact study. To help make sense of the complicated document, the three villages joined together to hire The Vertex Companies, an engineering firm based in Boston, as well as Beveridge and Diamond, a New York law firm, to help. Now, Hempstead Town is joining them.

"There is nothing more important than protecting the health of our residents," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Anthony Santino. "A major proposal like the LIRR third track project includes a host of prospective environmental consequences that could profoundly and negatively affect people near the project area."

The town will be absorbing about $25,000 of the cost of hiring the two firms.

The project could have impacts on water and air pollution, as well as increased noise and vibrations in the area once completed.

"We all owe a debt of gratitude to Town Councilman Ed Ambrosino, Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin and Town Supervisor Anthony Santino," Garden City Mayor Nicholas P. Episcopia said. "This is a great example of cooperation between local governments in making sure that our residents are protected if this project actually becomes reality."

Photo: Patch