Village of Floral Park officials and residents alike are keeping a close eye on the Long Island Rail Road's Main Line Corridor Improvement project, currently undergoing an environmental review process. Although railroad officials believe the project is "vitally important" to its customers and provides "both safety and convenience benefits" to the communities along the 11.5-mile corridor between Queens Village and Hicksville, many remain cautious.

An informational brochure being sent to approximately 18,000 addresses, reaching some 60,000 local residents, explains the project's specifics, including the elimination of various grade crossings, bridge and station improvements across the area and, of course, the most critical aspect, the addition of a third rail.

The LIRR, with the assistance of its environmental consultant, DMJM Harris, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, LIRR President James Dermody said.

"The scoping process for this project is now under way, and will include an upcoming series of public meetings," Dermody said. "Public input is being sought in accordance with this process and will be incorporated into the EIS."

Meetings will take place Tuesday, June 14, at Jericho Terrace, located at 249 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola; Thursday, June 16, at Floral Terrace, located at 250 Jericho Turnpike in Floral Park; and Tuesday, June 21, at Antuns, located at 244 Old Country Road in Hicksville. Meetings will be held between 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on each of the aforementioned dates.

Floral Park Mayor Phil Guarnieri is quite disappointed with the LIRR, stating that "without prior warning or discussion" with village officials, the MTA LIRR "unilaterally" scheduled the three hearings. "The MTA LIRR lobbyists are now spinning it as the so-called 'Main Line Corridor Improvement Project,'" he said. "While the MTA LIRR promised to keep Floral Park officials informed of any developments, our first knowledge of the scheduling of these critical public meetings came solely as a result of discovering the notice of these hearings literally buried on the MTA LIRR's website."

Mayor Guarnieri immediately called Dermody once he became aware of the hearings to voice his deep disappointment in what he described as the MTA LIRR's failure to start off the process in a forthright and straightforward manner.

"I did not receive a satisfactory response and also learned the MTA LIRR has mailed a slickly produced public relations brochure ... which unbelievably fails to include the dates, locations or times of these public hearings," he said. "We do not know how many of those addresses are located in Floral Park or the other communities directly impacted by this mega project, which will affect an estimated 175,000 residents, including more than 16,000 residents in Floral Park."

Dermody believes an additional track will address the railroad's long term plans to increase peak train service and provide more frequent reverse peak and local service through the area. With better commuting options, officials state communities will become more attractive to young, working home buyers and may help keep Long Island's youth on Long Island.

Grade crossing locations now being evaluated for elimination include New Hyde Park Road in New Hyde Park, Covert Avenue in New Hyde Park, 12th Street in New Hyde Park, School Street in Westbury and Urban Avenue in New Cassel. A total of nine villages are involved in the project, including Floral Park.

The project is still in its very early stages. "You are invited to be an active participant in the process, as we consider this project to be of high importance to the LIRR system and surrounding communities as well as the future economic vitality of Long Island," Dermody said. "It is our desire to work with you and your constituents, the business community, civic groups and other interested community organizations as we utilize the EIS process to evaluate all planned improvements associated with this crucial project."

Mayor Guarnieri urges all residents to mark their calendars and attend the hearings. Those wishing to speak must register at the meeting location upon arrival. Further, those who'd like to receive more information on the scope of the EIS or the project as a whole or would like to add his/her name to the mailing list for notification of meetings and other documents, contact Peter Palamaro, LIRR Public Affairs Department, Jamaica Station 1131, Jamaica, NY 11435 or by phone at (718) 558-7934.

"Please be sure to request a copy of these materials. It is imperative that the MTA LIRR appreciates the interest of our community in this massively disruptive mega project," Mayor Guarnieri concluded.