LIRR Reps Speak on New Station Developments

County Legislator Dave Denenberg held a Long Island Rail Road forum at Merrick Public Library on Monday, in which LIRR representatives spoke of upcoming projects at Bellmore, Merrick, Seaford and Wantagh train stations.

Residents expressed their concerns with the operations of escalators and elevators, cleanliness and maintenance, security, lighting, parking permits and parking lots.

Robert Brennan, LIRR director of government and community affairs and Patrick Gerakaris, LIRR branch line manager of the South Nassau District spoke of upcoming projects at the stations.

Gerakaris said that the Wantagh train station is being heavily focused on.

"We are about to start work on cleaning the platforms as well as installing netting for pigeon droppings," he said.

In the next couple of years, a new platform and elevator will be installed and the waiting room will be renovated, according to Brennan.  

Extensive cleaning of platforms will take place at the Bellmore, Merrick and Seaford stations towards the end of the summer, Gerakaris said.

Brennan and Gerakaris also stated that more escalator and elevator inspectors were hired in order to make sure they are always working properly and extra patrols were added at stations for safety.

Brennan said that great things are coming.

"We are working on small projects to get East Side access," he said. "We will finally get into Grand Central Station. What you will see in the next couple of years will be a tremendous change."