It was reported last week that 3TC’s and the MTA’s New Hyde Park Road grade crossing elimination project is coming along ahead of schedule, but within only a couple of days of the village board saying they’re awaiting further announcements by 3TC and the MTA, New Hyde Park Road reopened to traffic after being shutdown for six months.
On Monday, Aug. 24, 3TC was on site with Governor Andrew Cuomo, MTA Construction and Development President Janno Lieber, and LIRR President Phil Eng to cut the ribbon at the New Hyde Park Road underpass.
“The New Hyde Park Road grade crossing has been a traffic nightmare for decades and fixing it was easier said than done,” Cuomo said in a statement. “I’m proud to say we’ve just opened the new grade crossing on budget and two months ahead of schedule. With one more crossing eliminated, we are looking forward to fewer delays for LIRR and a transit network that can support a 21st century economy for Long Island and New York.”
The newly opened New Hyde Park Road is a major accomplishment for the villages of New Hyde Park and Garden City, and features a new four-lane underpass with pedestrian sidewalks on the east and west sides of the underpass. An ADA-compliant pedestrian bridge over the road will provide for easier access to the renovated New Hyde Park Station. There is also a dedicated left-turn lane from southbound New Hyde Park Road to Clinch Avenue and from northbound New Hyde Park Road to Plaza Avenue.
(Photos courtesy of the Village of Garden City)
“The elimination of the New Hyde Park Road grade crossing has enhanced safety and reliability for all those that use New Hyde Park Road,” Eng said. “This project improves our operations, reduces traffic congestion and improves the environment through the elimination of these crossing gates. This along with our industry leading efforts to improve grade crossing safety through the use of reflectorized delineators and our collaboration with Waze demonstrates our commitment to improving the quality of life for all Long Islanders.I’m proud of our workforce as they continue to step up and deliver during these unprecedented times.”
Separately, the mayors of New Hyde Park and Garden City, along with members of their administration, had their own ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the occasion.
The next grade crossing to be eliminated in the Village of New Hyde Park is the South 12th Street grade crossing, which is expected to be shutdown in mid to late September.
