MTA plans LIRR Montauk Branch improvements

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently announced a two-phase infrastructure upgrade project on the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Montauk Branch. The improvements will increase operational flexibility on the branch and enable future service increases.

There is currently a 27-mile stretch of single track rail between Southampton and Montauk, limiting the number of trains that can run on the branch. The first phase of the project will extend a siding in Amagansett, New York, by about 14 rail-car lengths, MTA officials said in a press release. This will split the stretch of single-track rail into 11 miles between Amagansett and Montauk and 16 miles between Southampton and Amagansett. Work is slated to start in first-quarter 2028, with completion anticipated in Q2 2029.

The second phase calls for construction of a permanent second station platform at the Hampton Bays Station. It will replace the temporary second platform that was installed at the station to accommodate increased ridership from the 2026 U.S. Open. The addition of a permanent eastbound-side platform will allow passengers to board and exit trains in both directions without requiring the train to make additional maneuvers, MTA officials said.

MTA will also perform track and signal upgrades at the Hampton Bay station. The upgrades will allow the track siding to accommodate trains with as many as eight cars, up from the current six. A timeline for the second phase of the project will be developed during the planning and design phase.

The projects at the Amagansett and Hampton Bays stations are estimated to cost $78 million combined.