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12/14/2012 1:00:00 PM    

LIRR unveils environmental assessment for Colonial Road project

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is seeking public input on the environmental assessment (EA) for the $36 million Colonial Road improvement project.

The EA evaluates the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of replacing the existing 114-year-old Colonial Road Bridge with a new structure on the existing alignment, extending the existing pocket track about 1,200 feet along the Port Washington Branch at Colonial Road to accommodate an additional 12-car train, and at-track drainage improvements, LIRR officials said in a prepared statement.

"Comments from the public and elected officials have been very helpful in the early developmental stages of the project, and remain just as critical now," said LIRR President Helena Williams.

Other planned improvements include utility relocation, additional switches for crossing between track, signal system modifications, retaining wall installation and landscaping.

The Colonial Road project is designed in part to improve rush-hour service and enable the railroad to turn trains faster, LIRR officials said.