MTA begins underpass construction in New Cassel

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) temporarily closed Urban Avenue in New Cassel, New York, today to rebuild a railroad crossing as a two-way grade separated underpass with a sidewalk, MTA officials said in a press release. 

The crossing reconstruction, which is set to be completed in the fall, is part of the MTA Long Island Rail Road’s main line expansion project, which calls for eliminating seven street-level grade crossings from Floral Park to Hicksville. 

The change comes a little over a week after a fatal Feb. 26 train crash in Westbury, New York, where two trains traveling in opposite directions crashed into a car that had driven around lowered gates and onto the tracks. The three men inside the vehicle were killed.

“We are working hard to be able to reopen the rebuilt, safer roadway in just a manner of months,” said MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber in a press release. “The terrible crash in Westbury just last week is a painful reminder of the dangers posed by some grade crossings. Eliminating this railroad crossing and six others between Floral Park and Hicksville will make the area safer for everyone and also improve convenience for drivers and pedestrians.”

Currently, the crossing gate during rush hours is in the down position up to 35 percent of the time, creating traffic backups and increasing exhaust from vehicles, MTA officials said.