Serving New Hyde Park, Floral Park, Garden City Park, North Hills, Manhasset Hills and North New Hyde Park
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Friday, March 5, 2021
Vol. 70, No. 10
N E W H Y D E PA R K
HOME AND DESIGN GUIDE
LAW & ORDER IN PORT
METZGER COMBINES BUSINESS, PHILANTHROPY
PAGES 19-30
PAGE 3
PAGE 8
LIRR removes final crossing for expansion
BEAM TEAM
Mineola location last of eight to be eliminated for safety enhancement BY R OB E RT PE L A E Z The Main Street railroad crossing in Mineola was closed on Saturday, the eighth and final one as part of the Long Island Rail Road expansion project. The crossing, like others throughout the area, is being rebuilt as a pedestrian overpass with elevators and is scheduled to open sometime this spring. The elimination of the crossing was the latest on the LIRR’s Main Line as part of the project to add a third track from Floral Park to Hicksville. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the closure of the Main Street crossing and said that it brought excessive train horn sounds into the homes of nearby residents and traffic backups. Safety has also been a concern with railroad crossings in general. Cuomo referred to an incident in 1982 when nine teenagers died when
their van and a train collided at the former Herricks Road crossing in Mineola. “New York’s economic growth depends on a modern and reliable transportation network to support the safe flow of people and goods across our state,” Cuomo said. “This marks a total of eight grade crossings removed on time and on budget since 2019 and is emblematic of our commitment to enhancing public safety, while also improving the quality of life for Long Islanders by reducing noise, air and traffic pollution.” The closing of the Main Street crossing follows the closure of two other crossings at Willis Avenue on Nov. 30, 2020. The two Willis Avenue crossings are being rebuilt as an underpass and are scheduled to reopen in the fall, according to officials. In New Hyde Park, the Covert Continued on Page 35
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SEWANHAKA CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Sewanhaka gymnasts competed in the state qualifiers in February.
Town approves $33M bond for Roslyn Water BY R O S E W E L D ON
oil tanks and a generator to protect from contaminants inThe Town of North Hemp- cluding 1,4-dioxane, perfloustead has approved a $33 mil- rooctanoic acid and perfloulion bond project requested by rooctanesulfonic acid. The measure was introthe Roslyn Water District to refurbish its water wellheads, duced by Town Councilman
Peter Zuckerman (D-East Hills) and was unanimously approved by the town council at its Feb. 26 meeting. Spanning 5.1 square miles, the Roslyn Water District’s serContinued on Page 35
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