(The following story by Jennifer Maloney appeared on the Newsday website on April 30, 2007.)
NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road has reduced the amount of property it plans to seize for two related projects intended to alleviate traffic congestion and increase rush-hour service.
The two projects — construction of a third track on the main line and eliminating five grade crossings in New Hyde Park and Westbury — originally had been expected to affect 124 properties through temporary or permanent seizures. But after working with village officials to reduce the impact on communities along the main line, the LIRR has cut that number to 94.
The most dramatic amendment to the plan affects the number of full property seizures. While the Third Track project has never included the seizure of entire properties, the grade crossing elimination plan had called for up to 39 full acquisitions.
The railroad now plans to seize between nine and 18 full properties, LIRR spokeswoman Susan McGowan said.
The Third Track project — originally planned for an 11.5-mile stretch of the main line from Queens Village to Hicksville — had been expected to affect small portions of up to 80 properties along that corridor with permanent or temporary easements.
Now, the project stretches just 10 miles — excluding Queens Village, Bellerose and most of Floral Park — and affects 72 properties.
The railroad will take 5 feet or less from the edges of 52 of those properties, McGowan said.
The LIRR previously had expected the grade crossings plan to affect 44 properties — including up to 39 full takings. Now, it is expected to affect a total of 22 properties, with between nine and 18 full seizures.
In New Hyde Park — where grade crossing work had been expected to affect 27 properties, including 19 full takings — the project now is expected to affect only 10 properties, with up to eight full acquisitions.
McGowan said the railroad has changed its plans in response to input from local elected officials.
“As we work with the communities, we’re trying to reduce the number of property impacts and we’re discussing options with them,” she said. “It’s still in flux. We don’t have our pencils down yet on the plan.”