Not even a torrential downpour might postpone a groundbreaking ceremony for a brand new Lengthy Island Rail Street (LIRR) station in Yaphank. The station, slated to open inside the subsequent yr, is predicted to considerably enhance commuter entry within the space, particularly for employees touring to the Brookhaven Nationwide Laboratory.
MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber expressed optimism in regards to the new station’s potential to spice up ridership, noting that the prevailing Yaphank station is among the extra underused stations on Lengthy Island.
“We think people will be more inclined to use this station,” Lieber stated. “Right now, not many people even know there’s a Yaphank station.”
The present station, which is situated in a extra secluded space, has low ridership and no seen ticket machine in sight. Native residents have identified that the small, hidden nature of the station is a think about its lack of use.
“It’s very small, very secluded,” stated Eddie Luperena of Shirley, NY. “Not a lot of people know about it.”
The brand new station, situated three miles east of the prevailing website, shall be extra accessible to commuters, as it’s nearer to the William Floyd Parkway, the Lengthy Island Expressway and the Brookhaven Nationwide Laboratory. The relocation of the station is essentially pushed by the demand for simpler entry to the lab, a significant employer within the area.
Lieber emphasised the potential of reverse commuting to draw employees from all through the area.
“They basically told us, if you can grow reverse commuting patterns and have enough trains, we will get the people here because we want to attract a workforce from the entire region,” he stated.
The long run station shall be ADA compliant, a two-car platform, and have roughly 50 parking areas. Building & Improvement President Jamie Torres-Springer shared his pleasure, noting that constructing a brand new station is a uncommon alternative for the MTA.
“We are building a new station here, we don’t get to do that very often here at the MTA,” Torres-Springer stated.
The final LIRR station constructed on Lengthy Island was at UBS Area in 2021, whereas the station earlier than that was constructed again in 1976. This makes the brand new Yaphank station a extremely anticipated undertaking for the world.
Native residents are hopeful that the brand new station will carry not solely extra commuter choices but additionally extra providers, akin to elevated prepare frequency and enhanced safety.
“Enough trains, plenty of stops, hopefully security,” stated Mike Morahan, of Wading River.
Bradley Marolf, a resident of Yaphank, additionally sees the brand new station as a significant asset.
“I know there’s a lot of people who commute to work every day, so it would be a great addition to the area,” he stated.
The MTA hopes the station shall be accomplished inside the subsequent yr, a aim that residents and commuters alike are eagerly awaiting.
