The LIRR Expansion Project has reached a major milestone. In August and September, we will open the new third track in three segments.
For the past two years, eastbound riders at New Hyde Park, Merillon Avenue, Mineola, Carle Place, and Westbury stations have been using a wooden platform to board trains. Underneath this platform is the new third track. Before we can start running trains on the new track, we will need to remove the wooden platforms, complete the track and signal system, and perform tests.
While we complete this work, there will be major changes to eastbound service at these stations. At times, we may not be able to stop at your station, and you will need to transfer to a bus at an alternate station to reach your intended destination. We may also have temporary gangways installed, which means you will need to be in the front of the train to exit.
To give our crews more time and space to work, and to minimize inconvenience, we may run trains in both directions on Track 3 when the schedule permits, especially at night and midday. Please use our TrainTime app, watch station signage, and listen for announcements to stay informed about track changes.
On several weekends during this time, trains will not run between Jamaica and Hicksville to support this effort.
Track numbers
The new track is known as Track 2. Once it opens at your station, you will notice the new number appearing on screens and the TrainTime app instead of Track 1, which is now the center track. The northern (usually westbound) track will still be known as Track 3.
New Hyde Park and Merillon Avenue Stations
Monday, August 1 through Friday, August 5
Eastbound riders going to Merillon Avenue must be in the first six cars to exit the train, except overnight from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., when all trains will run on Track 3.
The 4:59 p.m. from Hunterspoint Avenue to Oyster Bay will not stop at Merillon Avenue or New Hyde Park. Instead, the 5:01 p.m. from Penn to Ronkonkoma will make these stops.
Monday, August 8 through Friday, August 12
Every day from 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., all eastbound trains will bypass New Hyde Park and Merillon Avenue.
- A bus at Mineola will provide service back to Merillon Avenue and New Hyde Park. For service to those stations, stay on until Mineola and board the bus.
- If your trip begins at New Hyde Park or Merillon Avenue, you can take the bus to Mineola, which will depart up to 30 minutes earlier than the normal schedule.
- To avoid busing, try using the Hempstead Branch at nearby Stewart Manor or Nassau Boulevard stations.
- Parking fees will be waived at the Mineola Intermodal Center garage.
From 3:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., eastbound trains will make stops, but you will need to be in the first six cars in order to exit. During the evening rush hour, there will also be changes to which trains stop at these stations. Please check the TrainTime app for possible changes to your trip.
From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., trains will run on their regular schedules but will arrive on Track 3 in both directions.
Mineola Station
Starting Monday, August 8
All eastbound trains to Oyster Bay will depart from Track 3 on the north side of the station. This is a permanent change as we bring the tracks and switches just east of the station into their final layout.
The 8:06 a.m. train from Jamaica to Oyster Bay will no longer run. Buses will connect with the 7:37 a.m. train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma at Mineola for service to all stations along the branch.
Friday, August 26 and Monday, August 29
On both days, trains will stop on Track 3. This will require schedule changes in both directions for many trains. We are still developing detailed plans for these two days and will update the TrainTime app once they are finalized.
Carle Place and Westbury Stations
We expect service changes at these stations to occur during the last two weeks of September. We are still finalizing our plans and will update the TrainTime app once they are developed.