New LIRR station revealed for Belmont Park
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Monday announced plans for the Island’s first new full-time LIRR train station in nearly 50 years to be constructed at Belmont Park. The new station will be built between the Queens Village and Bellerose stops on the LIRR Main Line, providing direct service to Belmont Park from the east and west in anticipation of the new $1.3 billion arena and entertainment development.
New York Arena Partners, the developer of the proposed 19,000-seat arena and surrounding retail on 43 acres of land at Belmont Park, will cover $97 million of the station’s estimated $105 million construction, with the remaining $8 million paid for with public funds, according to the report released by Empire State Development.
The station will help address traffic concerns from the community and elected officials, bringing the arena project one step closer to its final approval. Trains are expected to run approximately every half-hour during peak times and every hour during off-peak times. LIRR riders will be able to take electric shuttle buses from the station to the planned arena, hotel and retail village.
According to an analysis by BJH Advisors, the project will create approximately 10,000 construction jobs and 3,200 permanent jobs, generating nearly $50 million in public revenue annually.
The improvements to the existing Belmont Park station are anticipated to be completed in 2021, while the new full-time Elmont station is expected to be partially open for service in 2021 and fully open for service in 2023. The arena will be the new home of the New York Islanders for the 2021-22 NHL season.
“The Belmont redevelopment will boost our economy, bolster our communities, and help our members thrive, while building a new home for the Islanders and investing in public transit,” said Kevin Law, president of the Long Island Association. “This project is a win for Elmont, a win for Long Island’s businesses and workers, and a win for our state economy.”
