Long Island Rail Road officials said Wednesday they plan to build a temporary extension to a pedestrian bridge along the Haven Avenue side of its Port Washington station that was closed earlier this year after officials deemed it unsafe for regular commuter use.
“We understand the significant inconvenience that the loss of the Haven Avenue overpass is causing our customers,” Long Island Railroad President Patrick Nowakowski said in a news release announcing the project. “I am pleased that we’ve been able to find a temporary solution that we will be able to put in place within a matter of months to better serve customers and the Port Washington community.”
The existing pedestrian bridge was closed in April after parts of its concrete structure were deemed unsuitable for use and irreparable, officials said.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said the extension is expected to be completed and opened by September while talks continue on a long-term plan to extend two tracks at the Port Washington station and replace the pedestrian bridges there.
Town of North Hempstead officials lauded the Long Island Railroad for undertaking the project.
Town of North Hempstead Councilwoman Dina De Giorgio (R-Port Washington) said, “It was a true team effort for the benefit of our town.”
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) said, “I am pleased that LIRR officials listened to the community’s concerns and responded with this temporary solution. It’s important that we address the safety and quality of life of our Port Washington commuters and this proposal addresses both.”
