Stern offers LIRR viable way out

The Island Now

Village of Thomaston Mayor Stern has strongly opposed the additional noise that will accompany the extension of the pocket track east of the Great Neck railroad station intended to help provide LIRR access to Grand Central.

He also has astutely imbedded in his opposition a viable compromise. Screen the noise with appropriate plantings (and perhaps fencing) decided upon after consultation with the Village and the interested committees of residents. This was refused by the LIRR types who attended the recent Thomaston Village Hall meeting. But it is the way to go to reach an agreement that helps residents who moved to homes near the tracks and permits the trains to better serve the needs of many thousands of people.

Even more important is bridge replacement issue raised by many residents at the Village meeting. They said : “Who needs the bridge anyway?”

First, it should be shut down immediately because the bridge is use by heavier-than-permitted vehicles is a hazard that has been brought to the attention of the Village and the LIRR and exposes both to the possibility of significant liability.

Then we’ll see whether we need it. Probably not.

Certainly the immediate cessation of tremendous noise from the steel mesh bridge deck will be hailed by nearby residents.

Mike Zarin

Great Neck

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