NYC’s Long Island Rail Road Opens With Mosaics By Famed Artists After 20 Years

It’s finally happened: New Yorkers will now have access to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), promising a 22-minute trip from Jamaica in Queens to East Manhattan, just two decades after the US$11.1 billion project first began in 2001.

This is the first new major downtown rail terminal that’s opened in the country in 67 years, and the first expansion of the LIRR in more than a century, since service first began all the way back in 1910.

For at least the first three weeks of service, the subway system will operate a limited shuttle service between Jamaica and Grand Central Madison stations so passengers can acquaint themselves with the new terminal. 

After which, the full service from Long Island to Grand Central will be rolled out to the public. Trains will operate between 6.15 am and 8 pm on weekdays, and from 7 am to 11 pm on weekdays, arriving once every hour during peak hours. 

“Just a 22-minute ride from Jamaica to the East Side of Manhattan! Improving commutes and quality of life for New Yorkers—and with more service starting soon,” announced Governor Kathy Hochul on Twitter.

According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, this new line will save an estimated 160,000 passengers up to 40 minutes of traveling time. In addition, it will help ease overcrowding at Penn Station as more choose alight at Grand Central.

Upon reaching the terminal, visitors will be able to enjoy myriad artworks while waiting for the train, including an 875-square-foot abstract glass mosaic by famed artist Yayoi Kusama.

Additionally, there are four glass mosaics by Kiki Smith that aim to “bring nature inspired by Long Island to the Mezzanine level,” and another on the Madison Concourse that mimics the way sunlight reflects off the surface of the East River.

[via Bloomberg and Metropolitan Transportation Authority, images via Metropolitan Transportation Authority]