Newly Relocated LIRR Station to Create Economic Ripple Effect

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) opened a new station on Long Island, relocated from its original site. The Yaphank-BNL Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station is now closer to the Brookhaven National Laboratory, reflected in the station’s updated name.

The new location has greater potential for ridership growth from nearby employment centers, including an industrial park and Brookhaven National Laboratory. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, “By locating this new and improved station right next to major employers and critical regional connections, we are ready to move the entire east end towards a future of economic growth and opportunity.”

Remarking on the strong returns provided by investment in public transportation, Long Island Association Acting President and CEO Stacey Sikes said, “Infrastructure investments deliver long-term economic returns, and the opening of the new, modernized Yaphank-BNL Station will create a ripple effect across our region.”

The opening of the station comes as the agency is launching a study of potential infrastructure improvements that would support more frequent and reliable service on a portion of the LIRR Main Line. The study will assess opportunities to upgrade signals, communications, and other infrastructure; add a second track; electrify a portion of the branch to reduce reliance on diesel; and examine the costs and benefits of potential investments.

NYMTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, with the station open, “we can ramp up the feasibility study now underway that’s exploring new ways to improve and increase service on the Ronkonkoma branch.”