Renovations began recently at the Hicksville Railroad Station. A special accessible trailer located near the station building will house a temporary waiting room, ticket office and rest room facilities during the work, which is expected to be completed by August, 2001.

The entire interior of the station building is being demolished and rebuilt. The new structure will have a larger waiting area, ticket office, rest rooms and vendor area; including a new heating, air conditioning and ventilation system, electric service and lighting.

The platform staircases will be replaced, as will the existing asphalt plaza area and concrete curbing around the station building. Three kiosks, including one for MTA Police and two for vendors, will be installed in the immediate vicinity of the station building. In addition, a terra cotta-type brick will be used for the building's exterior.

The total budget for the project is approximately $5 million. The Hicksville station is the busiest on the Long Island Rail Road system, servicing approximately 6,000 commuters each weekday. The work is not expected to affect train service.