Riders heading out from Mastic-Shirley now have a modernized station to enjoy, thanks to a recently completed project by the Long Island Rail Road.
In addition to two new waiting areas and a refurbished platform, the $7.5 million station boasts lighting upgrades, security cameras, and revamped signage. The railings have been rebuilt, and amenities such as a real-time train information screen, system map, bike racks, and a granite bench have been added. The handicapped-accessible waiting area is ringed with historic photos, including pictures of stations at Mastic and Shirley dating back to the 1800s provided by railroad historian David Morrison.
“This is more than just a station-it's a symbol of progress, safety, and community pride,” said Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by many of those involved in the project. “A huge thank you to our community and government partners, including the Chamber of Commerce of the Mastics and Shirley, William Floyd Community Summit, Pattersquash Creek Civic Association, Mastic Peninsula Historical Society, and our elected officials—Senator Dean Murray, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano, Supervisor Dan Panico, and Karen Dunne-Kesnig—for coming together to make this transformation possible.”
“It’s nice to see some of the fares collected from local riders come back to the community,” said Assemblyman DeStefano, who represents the area in Albany. “Hats off to the railroad and the MTA for getting this done.” Said rider Bryan Hellmer of Center Moriches, “It’s a big improvement over what was there.”
The Mastic-Shirley Station remains a key stop for commuters traveling west from the South Fork. Riders can now choose between Penn Station or the recently opened $11 billion Grand Central Madison Station for their final destination in Manhattan.
“This is a welcomed and much-needed improvement,” said Senator Murray. “Thanks go out to the elected officials and community members who kept pushing for this to happen.”
Next on the agenda is moving the Yaphank Station across William Floyd Parkway to make it more accessible to riders. DeStefano noted that moving away from the county offices on Yaphank Avenue will ease traffic at the Shirley Station. Local officials have also appealed to the MTA to eliminate the use of diesel locomotives by electrifying all three Suffolk lines and building another crossing in Mastic to relieve traffic coming into the peninsula.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine has identified electrifying the LIRR’s Suffolk lines as a priority for the $1 trillion federal infrastructure fund and the state’s environmental bond act. “Using diesel trains in this day and age is an environmental abomination,” Romaine said. “Long Islanders deserve an upgrade to the system given the amount of money they pump into the MTA each year.”