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Syosset (LIRR station)
Encyclopedia
Syosset is a station
on the Long Island Rail Road
's Port Jefferson Branch
in Syosset, New York
. It is located at Jackson Avenue and Underhill Boulevard, south of New York State Route 25A
. Syosset's downtown commercial district was built around the station. There are no public transportation connections at the station; however, taxi service is available.
in the Town of Oyster Bay. About 30.9 mi (50 km) east of New York Penn Station by rail, the station lies at the southeastern edge of the town centre, on the eastern side of Jackson Avenue near its intersection with Underhill Boulevard.
. Known as the "Syosset Downtown Redevelopment and Revitalization Plan," the project aims to re-create the hamlet's downtown through mixed-use development and improved, human-scale zoning regulations. The master-plan includes suggestions such as removing the grade crossing at Jackson Avenue, creating a pedestrian plaza by eliminating road traffic on a portion of Cold Spring Road, parking reconfiguration, and the building of a community centre as ways of focusing growth in the downtown area and reducing unnecessary trips by car.
s, each 12 cars long. The north platform, adjacent to Track 1, is generally used by westbound or New York City
-bound trains. The south platform, adjacent to Track 2, is generally used by eastbound trains. The Port Jefferson Branch has two tracks at this location.
On July 18, 2007, at approximately 1:00pm, a pedestrian was believed to be killed while crossing the tracks just south of the station. It is unclear how this accident happened. The incident is presently being investigated by the authorities.
s (such as those used in a few New York City Subway
stations) are being examined. The railroad has also retained a consultant to review train operations to suggest further changes.
Some Syosset residents and politicians, such as current Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs, insist the best solution to eliminate the gap problem is to force the LIRR to close the Syosset station and reopen the Landia
station to the southwest. Landia is on a straight portion of track. Simultaneously, a mall is being proposed near the Landia station site. Michael Pally, an MTA
board member representing Suffolk County
and who also works for a real estate firm that represents the company proposing construction of the mall, believes the Syosset station should be closed because more parking spaces would be available at Landia. Opponents of the mall believe that opening Landia while closing Syosset will just be a ruse to direct people to the mall. The Town of Oyster Bay
, which controls the Landia station site, is still gathering information before it makes a decision to ask the LIRR to conduct a Landia station feasibility study.
Train station
A train station, also called a railroad station or railway station and often shortened to just station,"Station" is commonly understood to mean "train station" unless otherwise qualified. This is evident from dictionary entries e.g...
on the Long Island Rail Road
Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a commuter rail system serving the length of Long Island, New York. It is the busiest commuter railroad in North America, serving about 81.5 million passengers each year. Established in 1834 and having operated continuously since then, it is the oldest US...
's Port Jefferson Branch
Port Jefferson Branch
The Port Jefferson Branch is a rail line and service owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road in the U.S. state of New York. The branch splits from the Main Line just east of Hicksville and runs northeast and east to Port Jefferson...
in Syosset, New York
Syosset, New York
Syosset is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, in the northeastern section of Town of Oyster Bay near the North Shore of Long Island. The population was 18,829 at the 2010 census...
. It is located at Jackson Avenue and Underhill Boulevard, south of New York State Route 25A
New York State Route 25A
New York State Route 25A is a state highway on Long Island in New York in the United States. It serves as the main east–west route for most of the North Shore of Long Island, running from the Queens Midtown Tunnel in the New York City borough of Queens at its western terminus to...
. Syosset's downtown commercial district was built around the station. There are no public transportation connections at the station; however, taxi service is available.
Location
Syosset station is located within the hamlet of the same nameSyosset, New York
Syosset is a hamlet in Nassau County, New York, in the northeastern section of Town of Oyster Bay near the North Shore of Long Island. The population was 18,829 at the 2010 census...
in the Town of Oyster Bay. About 30.9 mi (50 km) east of New York Penn Station by rail, the station lies at the southeastern edge of the town centre, on the eastern side of Jackson Avenue near its intersection with Underhill Boulevard.
Transit-oriented development
The Town of Oyster Bay has designated Syosset station as one of its targets for transit-oriented developmentTransit-oriented development
A transit-oriented development is a mixed-use residential or commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership...
. Known as the "Syosset Downtown Redevelopment and Revitalization Plan," the project aims to re-create the hamlet's downtown through mixed-use development and improved, human-scale zoning regulations. The master-plan includes suggestions such as removing the grade crossing at Jackson Avenue, creating a pedestrian plaza by eliminating road traffic on a portion of Cold Spring Road, parking reconfiguration, and the building of a community centre as ways of focusing growth in the downtown area and reducing unnecessary trips by car.
Platform and track configuration
Syosset has two high-level side platformSide platform
A Side platform is a platform positioned to the side of a pair of tracks at a railway station, a tram stop or a transitway. A pair of side platforms are often provided on a dual track line with a single side platform being sufficient for a single track line...
s, each 12 cars long. The north platform, adjacent to Track 1, is generally used by westbound or New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
-bound trains. The south platform, adjacent to Track 2, is generally used by eastbound trains. The Port Jefferson Branch has two tracks at this location.
Platform gap
The train station is located on a curved portion of the Port Jefferson Branch tracks. In order for a train to navigate the curve safely and not hit the platform, a wider than normal gap between the platform and train is necessary. At places where train doors open, most of the gaps span ten inches or more; some gaps measure 15 inches. Black ice may exacerbate conditions that would cause commuters to fall into the gap. On January 30, 1996, in separate incidents, three commuters in a 90-minute period fell into the gap at the station due to icy platform conditions.On July 18, 2007, at approximately 1:00pm, a pedestrian was believed to be killed while crossing the tracks just south of the station. It is unclear how this accident happened. The incident is presently being investigated by the authorities.
Solutions
To remedy the gap situation, the LIRR has implemented physical and operational solutions. Among the changes: the LIRR has installed platform gap lighting and camera surveillance systems, shifted platforms, platform conductors to monitor train boarding, and is instructing crews to announce the gap at the station and to assist passengers. Further improvements, including changing railroad operation standards and the viable use of retractable gap fillerGap filler
Platform gap fillers on the metro systems like the New York City Subway or on train stations in Hong Kong are movable platform extensions at stations where the curvature of the platform creates a significant gap between the platform and subway car door...
s (such as those used in a few New York City Subway
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
stations) are being examined. The railroad has also retained a consultant to review train operations to suggest further changes.
Some Syosset residents and politicians, such as current Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs, insist the best solution to eliminate the gap problem is to force the LIRR to close the Syosset station and reopen the Landia
Landia (LIRR station)
Landia Station is a closed rail station on the Long Island Rail Road's Port Jefferson Branch in the Locust Grove section of Syosset, New York. The station was opened on December 15, 1952 for the now former Circle Wire plant and closed on October 3, 1973...
station to the southwest. Landia is on a straight portion of track. Simultaneously, a mall is being proposed near the Landia station site. Michael Pally, an MTA
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York is a public benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the U.S...
board member representing Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
and who also works for a real estate firm that represents the company proposing construction of the mall, believes the Syosset station should be closed because more parking spaces would be available at Landia. Opponents of the mall believe that opening Landia while closing Syosset will just be a ruse to direct people to the mall. The Town of Oyster Bay
Town of Oyster Bay, New York
Oyster Bay, New York can refer to:* Oyster Bay , New York* Oyster Bay , New York* Oyster Bay , New York, also Oyster Bay Harbor, an inlet on the north shore of Long Island, New York...
, which controls the Landia station site, is still gathering information before it makes a decision to ask the LIRR to conduct a Landia station feasibility study.
External links
- Syosset Scrapbook(Part 7) (Includes Syosset Station Photos and History)
- A History of the Syosset Station by Tom Montalbano
- Station from Jackson Avenue from Google Maps Street View