(Editor's note: The following letter was sent to the MTA chairman, executive director, and board members and is being printed here at the author's request.)

Recently, the media has emphasized the current gap problem as one requiring immediate attention, and rightfully so since the potential for serious physical injury or death exists. Of equal note to the gap safety issue at the current Syosset Station is another paramount public safety concern, which could result in increased emergency response time for police, fire, and ambulance equipment, and has the same potential for serious physical injury or death. The running of additional railroad equipment, which will be enabled by the now active East Side Access project, connecting the LIRR to Grand Central Station, will keep the gates at the Jackson Avenue grade crossing down significantly more often. This forces emergency agency equipment and manpower to wait while a westbound train sits in the Syosset Station, awaiting the safe boarding or exit of passengers, and the occasional idling of railroad trains, adhering to the railroad's schedule. The option of circumventing the down gates is prevented by various agency policies, and would be a significant safety and liability issue in itself.

The current location of the station, directly adjacent to the at-grade crossing prevents some of the corrective measures already instituted at locations such as Herricks Road, and planned for other at-grade crossings in the New Hyde Park and Garden City areas. Jackson Avenue has a daily average of well over 22,000 vehicles per day, with that volume greatly weighted to the same peak hours in which the railroad runs the most equipment, and results in the most frequent and lengthy down gate times. A new and relocated Syosset Station would provide grade crossing options not currently available, and benefit not only the critical public safety issue of response time, but become a proactive measure against growing traffic delays and pedestrian safety concerns. I can recall one pedestrian fatality at this crossing not that many years ago, and I have heard from some elected officials that this crossing ranks as one of the New York State's most dangerous ones.

Also keeping in a proactive and public safety state of mind, the current Syosset Station parking lots are filled to capacity by 7:30 a.m. each morning. This causes overflow into the surrounding residential districts just beyond the commuter imposed restrictions at the station lots perimeter. This is a perpetual condition which narrows many of our local roads, and inhibits visibility and site line for school buses, which service three elementary schools, and several other pre-schools in the immediate vicinity of the current station. Such obstructed conditions are contraindicated by common sense as well as uniform standards developed and used for safe vehicular and pedestrian road usage.

Of additional concern is a recent Town of Oyster Bay, Hofstra University survey of Syosset's business owners, and resident homeowners. Both surveys showed significant dissatisfaction with the current railroad station location, grade crossing, and the commuter monopoly of the parking area directly adjacent to the downtown business district. The idea of relocating the Syosset Station to an area that both increases the railroad's available commuter parking capacity, and also provides new parking options and congestion relief to the established downtown business owners and patrons is one that deserves serious consideration, and a preponderance of public opinion via various unbiased community surveys apparently agrees. Last year's RESIDENTS membership survey showed 81 percent in favor of the MTA and the town conducting a relocation study as soon as possible.

The only apparent dissatisfaction garnered so far to such relocation, has been the loss of walkability to the current station by approximately 200-250 persons who walk daily from their homes. Many like my wife and I, specifically chose our home's location for this amenity, and most would find an additional provision of MTA Long Island Bus service for several peak time shuttle between downtown Syosset and a newly located station a favorable compromise in accommodation. This would also maintain the mass transit connection with the businesses downtown for both employees and shoppers. Station relocation would be a gain for homeowners who currently reside in areas that would instantly become walkable to a newly located station. But proper planning is important, so that traffic access to any new parking facility has zero negative impact on other residential areas, and limited impact on major tributary roads which would handle the new commuter volume at the 6 to 9 a.m. peak entry hours, and 4 to 7 p.m. peak exit hours.

We respectfully request, and strongly urge that both the MTA and the Town of Oyster Bay give requisite consideration to the arrogate safety issues, and other associate conditions that exist at the current Syosset LIRR Station.

Robert W. Rockelein

President

RESIDENTS for a More Beautiful Syosset