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Gov. Cuomo's Proposed LIRR Third Track Plan Gets Public Hearing

FLORAL PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Hundreds of Long Islanders packed public hearings on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plan to build a third track on the Long Island Rail Road's main line.

The proposed third track would cost more than a billion dollars and would run for about 10 miles between Floral Park and Hicksville. It will affect Bellerose, Stewart, Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Garden City, Mineola, and Westbury.

Cuomo has said the additional track will increase service, reduce congestion and allow the LIRR to provide reverse-peak trains during traditional business hours.

Every day, more than 100,000 commuters travel between the two stations, TV 10/55's Richard Rose reported. Besides crowded trains and platforms, there are long delays anytime there is a problem because there are only two tracks.

Long Island Rail Road Commuters Council President Mark Epstein strongly favors the plan.

"It's the oldest railroad in the country and everyone who takes it every day knows that firsthand," he said.

Right Track Coalition leader Dave Kapell is also a strong supporter.

"This project is absolutely critical to unlocking the potential of the Long Island economy in the 21st century," Kapell said.

But Floral Park mayor Thomas Tweedy said he's mostly concerned about the residential and business community disruptions that would be caused by the construction project.

"Floral Park whet through four grade crossing eliminations in the 60s. It took us 15 years to recover from that," Tweedy said.

Boos rang out for anyone who supported the plan, with the mayor leading the opposition. He said the village is retaining a law firm for possible legal action.

At a public hearing in New Hyde Park, the MTA tried to persuade residents in affected communities to get on board with the proposal. Most said they first want to know what impact the massive three- to four-year project will have on daily life.

LIRR president Patrick Nowakowski said they are still formulating the plan and working to minimize disruptions.

"Everybody wants to see what's the final design, I don't have that yet," Nowakowski said. "Today is all about being here to listen."

Tweedy said there are at least seven LIRR formally proposed operational improvements that could and should be made before taking on the third rail plan. Some of the options include lowering the roadway and raising the tracks above the road or completely closing the crossings to vehicle traffic while building pedestrian bridge.

"Let's do those first, which have to be done anyway, so they should be done before any third track is done. Mitigation before construction," Tweedy said.

Tweedy has previously said he is concerned that the communities will bear all the burden and derive none of the benefits.

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