LIRR: Comment Sought on Colonial Rd. Bridge Plan

The public is being asked to comment on a proposed project to rebuild the Village of Thomaston's century-old Colonial Road Bridge.

The plan to fix the bridge, spearheaded by Thomaston Mayor Robert Stern through years of communication with residents, state and local leaders, and Long Island Rail Road officials is nearing reality.

Stern has consistently maintained that construction of a proposed pocket track as part of LIRR expansion by 2016 should come with reconstruction of the bridge, which was built in 1897.

The new bridge will incorporate environmental concerns and aesthetic improvements such as traffic-concealing plantings and sound-absorbing features, according to state Sen. Jack Martins, who joined the bridge discussion after taking office in 2011.

Clad with sound-absorbing materials to minimize noise impact in the surrounding neighborhood, the bridge will also retain its existing alignment and retaining wall, according to the plan.

See MTA video regaring the Colonial Road Bridge here.

"There is much to look forward to, including a significant reduction of noise as cars pass over the existing metal grate roadway, not to mention the elimination of this unattractive structure in an otherwise beautiful community," said Martins in a press release.

A public comment period is open through Jan. 13 regarding the project. An environmental assessment for the plan is available at the Great Neck Library, Thomaston Village Hall and the MTA website.

"There is much to look forward to, including a significant reduction of noise as cars pass over the existing metal grate roadway, not to mention the elimination of this unattractive structure in an otherwise beautiful community," said Sen Jack Martins in a press release. “Not only is the new design a vast improvement on the bridge, it offers more plantings and screening, said Martins. "A true win-win.”

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