Long Island Rail Road riders have to ask why the MTA LIRR $168 million Jamaica Capacity Improvements Phase 2 was not completed prior to initiation of full-time service for the $11.6 billion East Side Access to Grand Central Madison in February 2023. Completion of Phase 2 is scheduled to be doneby December 2026.
The scope of work would raise maximum allowable train speeds, increase train throughput and parallel routing capabilities, implement universal 12-car platform capacity and implement a full state-of-good repair throughout the entire Jamaica Station complex.  It includes critical work on bridges carrying trains and expansion of the Hall Interlocking. Â
Prior to this, there was the $450 million Phase One Jamaica Capacity Improvements. Funding was approved for Phase One in 2010 under grants from the Federal Transit Administration.Â
Jamaica Capacity Phase One project included capital improvements to operational areas in and adjacent to the station. The scope of work included track, signals, third rail power and interlockings. These improvements were designed to support increased operational capacity necessary to support future GCM service. At the time of FTA grant approval, this proposed new service was many years away. Thirteen years later, there was ample time to complete both Phase One and Two.
Why weren’t Phase 2 of Jamaica Capacity Improvement not completed in time to coincide with the new LIRR GMC service?
Will completion of Phase 2 project increase overall rush hour capacity, including additional Atlantic branch Brooklyn service or reduce travel time between Jamaica and Penn Station, GCM, Flatbush Avenue, Hunters Point or Long Island City? LIRR commuters, taxpayers, transit advocacy groups and elected officials deserve a detailed explanation for why this work was delayed so long from MTA Chairman Janno Lieber and Acting LIRR President Robert Free.
Larry Penner
Great Neck
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Larry Penner is a transportation advocate, historian and writer who previously served as a former director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management.
