Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Long Beach and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which oversees the Long Island Rail Road, are collaborating on a station improvement project planned to be undertaken in two phases, with construction and design budgets for both that are yet to be announced.
“As part of the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan, the MTA has funding to complete the design of a renewal project at the Long Beach station,” MTA Deputy Communications Director Aaron Donovan said.
What is being called the Long Beach Station Improvement Project by the MTA has not officially begun, and the agency has not yet provided a timeline for how long each phase will take.
“The MTA plans to award the design contract by spring 2026,” Joana Flores, an MTA media liaison, said.
Until then, various upgrades will aim to create a safer, cleaner and more eco-friendly station. The project will not impact the station’s services.
“The LIRR is getting a head start on the renewal efforts through power washing, repainting and planting new, healthy, climate-appropriate greenery,” Donovan said, referring to work that began on Sept. 13.
Along with improved appearance, the renewal work could potentially offer health benefits to commuters.
“Vegetation that is flush to the station building,” Donovan said, is being removed. “It poses safety and health hazards to riders, LIRR employees, and the general public due to the pernicious presence of rodents, drug paraphernalia and other debris.”
The project also aims to improve the environment. “Ten planters will be added,” Donovan said. “They house climate-appropriate vegetation. Also, (we are) adding trees, bushes and shrubs which are drought- and salt-resistant and low-growth, to act as temporary landscaping.”
Once the design phase of the project — which will last up to 12 months — is completed, Phase 1 is expected to get under way. This will be more design-oriented, and will focus on construction efforts on the station building and its roof.
“Phase 1 will deliver a more inviting station for the Long Beach community,” Donovan said. “Phase 2, likely as part of the MTA’s 2030-2034 capital plan, will focus on the platforms, their substructures and canopies.”
Although a completion date has yet to be announced, City Manager Daniel Creighton said he was eager to see the station’s new look.
“I’m excited to see that the Long Island Rail Road and MTA is finally investing in the community of Long Beach,” Creighton said. “I think some of the repairs and upgrades that they plan on doing are much needed. I look forward to working collaboratively with them on getting the station back up to a state of good repair, and a modern facility that we could all be proud of.”
While the project is intended to benefit the community, commuters’ opinions vary on what is needed to improve the station.
“I take the train a lot,” Long Beach resident Marvin Hankins said. “It’s good they have an overhead for when it rains. Overall, the front of the station is good — there’s nothing wrong with it. Maybe benches can be added. What is really needed, in my opinion, is outlets and charging stations.”
“I feel like the station is already great,” lifelong resident Makayla Knight said. “What they should worry about is the crime.”
“Some buildings look rundown here, so improving the appearance of the station is a good thing,” Arturo Alvarez, an MTA locomotive engineer, said.
“I get on the train, it’s beautiful, it’s simple,” Jamaica resident Kodanda Nathan said. “I come out here to Long Beach, I value it, so this can’t be bad, it must be good.”
The station renovations are part of a continuing effort to improve the city. “The city would like to thank the MTA for investing the funds in the city that really needs it,” Creighton said. “This is something the administration has advocated for and asked them for quite some time. It’s nice to see it coming to fruition.”
Have an opinion on the LIRR Station Improvement Project? Send a letter to jbessen@liherald.com.
