I am taking up where I left off in my last week’s article “MTA’s third track numbers just don’t add up.”
In that article I quoted Larry Penner’s Friday, June 17, 2016 article “Third track needed to make Ronkonkoma upgrade work.”
In this article, Mr. Penner also mentions double tracking between Farmingdale and Central Islip and then the same between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma. I will leave it as he wrote it.
Last week I was in Deer Park and crossed the tracks on Route 231 and Route 4, Commack Road.
At these points, which are between Farmingdale and Central Islip, there was double electrified tracks.
Going west from Route 231 the right of way was wide enough for two tracks but there was only one and it was electrified.
Long ago I remember reading about when the first rail line was completed joining the east and west coasts here in the U.S.
It was said that one mile of track could be built in a day (on virgin terrain) in those long ago times.
It was of course done only with manpower, horsepower and the old style choo choo locomotives.
I imagine that trestles were built ahead over such as the Colorado River.
To put a second track east from Farmingdale these days would be peanuts.
Driving along the roads in areas like Ronkonkoma and Deer Park one sees mostly trees and lush shrubbery.
Looking closely one can see residential areas and corporate buildings.
Before there is more development, a careful assessment has to be made of the underground water supply.
It can’t be overpumped and have salt water seep in as what happened to Brooklyn.
Also, the sewer system, at least in Nassau County is a big mess that has to be corrected.
The proposed solution is mired in such political corruption.
Nassau County must retain ownership of it and get it fixed or rebuilt.
In order to get a full picture of the LIRR, besides what I have said, at Jamaica Station, lines also go through Queens ending in Port Washington, down to Lynbrook and on to Long Beach, to Rockaway Station and more: The big picture of the LIRR.
The third track will not only bust up a number of stations but be a nightmare to commuters for years with no benefits.
Imagine 500 or more commuters being bussed past closed stations every three to five minuter during rush hour.
Cherish the LIRR as it is.
It really does a lot and does it well. Just repair it as needed.
In this paper’s July 8 edition is the article by Desmond Ryan “Third Track would be an economic boon for L.I.”
Sorry to say, but this article has not as much as one word about how the third track would actually do this.
Even with his credentials listed under his name it is nothing more than propaganda.
During at least the past year I have not missed one publication of the News Times Newspapers and have read all of the articles pertaining to the third track.
I will be frank about what I am saying and any seeming sarcasm is not meant as such.
From Gov. Cuomo at the top, down through all his underlings and down all the way through all of the opinions that have been opined, not one word has shown a shred of evidence as to how this third track would actually do any or all of the marvelous things that have been said.
It all amounts to nothing more than propaganda (or should I say, a lot of crap) which has come from whatever reason or compelling force.
I was not born this morn! I am able to see that something is lacking in intelligence in all that has been said.
If it should happen that many thousands of commuters end up experiencing the dreadful horrific consequences I can say I did all I rightfully could to prevent it.
Charles Samek
Mineola
