A 40-year-old electrical substation in New Cassel was replaced by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Construction & Development. This is one of eight along the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Main Line corridor being replaced or upgraded as part of the LIRR Expansion Project between Floral Park and Hicksville.
Located at Broadway and Bond Street north of the LIRR, the previous substation was nearing the end of its operational life. Its replacement is enabling the extra power needed to operate the additional trains as the LIRR increases service following the LIRR Main Line Expansion. It will accommodate the new third track and enable future growth of the LIRR.
There are 104 substations on the LIRR across all areas of the railroad’s electrified territory. At each of these substations, AC voltage is converted to DC voltage and safely fed to the third rail out on the tracks. This electrical power then energizes each train’s traction motor, which propels the train.
Substations are strategically replaced as part of every capital program, typically based on age and/or state of good repair. Substations may also be upgraded or replaced as part of a larger project initiative, such as the LIRR Expansion Project and East Side Access.
MTA Construction & Development is currently working to replace substations in New Hyde Park, Garden City/Garden City Park, Mineola, Carle Place, Westbury and Hicksville.
