After a continuous back and forth between the Village of Garden City and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) / MTA, the Denton Avenue bridge is finally set to be replaced. The Denton Avenue bridge replacement project is a part of the third track project, which is set to wrap up by the end of this year.
The Village of Garden City issued two permits to 3TC with regards to work taking place on the Denton Avenue Bridge—a road closure permit and a utility permit. Mayor Cosmo Veneziale said that a permit for any kind of modification or removal of the bridge has not been issued.
The back and forth between the village and the MTA went to the county’s Supreme Court, who forced the Village of Garden City to issue permits.
“Here, the completion of the Denton Avenue Bridge Project, the last of eight bridge replacements needed for the $2.6 billion third track project is critical,” Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Helen Voutsinas wrote in the decision dated last November. “Finally, as to a balancing of the equities, the court finds no harm expressed by the village, and in fact, the village stands to benefit from the Denton Avenue Bridge project.”
In a statement on its website the MTA said, “The bridge project has been delayed for many months because the Village of Garden City refused to issue road work permits. After a protracted litigation, the Village of Garden City has now finally issued the permits necessary for this critical infrastructure improvement. The work requires a temporary detour plan. Due to the extensive time that has elapsed and the criticality of this bridge both for the overall project schedule and new service to Grand Central starting later this year, 3TC will be working extended hours. We recognize this may create noise and temporary inconveniences to the surrounding community, and we want to ensure businesses and residents have access to the most up-to-date information.”
3TC, who is the design-build contractors for the project, will have a 24/7 hotline at 516-203-4955 for residents to call if they have any concerns or questions. Residents can also email communityoutreach@lirrexpansion.com or visit www.lirrexpansion.com.
