Over the past several months, many of you have heard about the proposed MTA/LIRR's Main Line Corridor Mega-Project that will directly impact the communities neighboring the Main Line of the Long Island Rail Road between Queens Village and Hicksville. This proposed mega-project, costing over a half billion dollars of taxpayers' money, and affecting well over 100,000 people, will run through the most densely populated line of the LIRR, will be massively disruptive and take years to complete.

Two main components of the mega-project are the construction of an additional track along a span of approximately 11.5 miles on the Main Line and the elimination of five grade crossings.

All of the neighboring communities that border the Main Line have been working together and have clearly voiced their concerns on behalf of our residents and business owners. While we support the elimination of five grade crossings: 1) Covert Avenue in New Hyde Park, 2) 12th Street in New Hyde Park, 3) New Hyde Park Road in New Hyde Park and Garden City, 4) School Street in Westbury and 5) Urban Avenue in New Cassel, we do not support the construction of an additional track on the Main Line. The need for the additional track for passenger transport has not been demonstrated, but it will certainly cost taxpayers millions of dollars, will cause a major disruption to our way of life and negatively impact our communities for years to come.

Our grass roots community efforts have gained the support of various state, county and town officials and we now need and request your assistance in our efforts to support the grade crossings elimination while joining other citizens against this rail expansion.

How can you help? Send a letter or e-mail to the MTA/LIRR at the below address with a copy sent to Village Hall. It is important that these letters be sent prior to Aug. 31, as this date is the final day for public comment related to the early scoping phase of the proposed mega-project. It is imperative that every effort is made now so that this proposed mega-project is derailed and the MTA/LIRR focus its attention toward improving its current services and facilities while keeping its fares stable.

Send letters by Aug. 31 to: Mr. Peter Palamaro, Long Island Rail Road Public Affairs, Jamaica Station 1131, Jamaica, NY 11435. E-mail comments to: www.mta.info/mta/planning/mainline/contact.htm. For more information regarding this important issue, contact your local village hall.

Mayor Donna Sherrer, Inc. Village of Bellerose (354-1000)

Mayor Phil Guarnieri, Inc. Village of Floral Park (326-6300)

Mayor Angel Soto, Inc. Village of South Floral Park (352-8047)

Mayor Joseph Troiano, Inc. Village of Stewart Manor (354-1800)

Mayor Daniel Petruccio, Inc. Village of New Hyde Park (354-0022)

Mayor Gerard Lundquist, Inc. Village of Garden City (465-4053)

Mayor Jack Martins, Inc. Village of Mineola (746-0750)

Mayor Ernest Strada, Inc. Village of Westbury (334-1700)