Hollis Station Transformation: A Herculean Effort in Action

Significant progress continues to take shape at the LIRR Hollis Station as the project moves steadily forward. Earlier in the project, Forte Construction—working in collaboration with Designer AECOM, MTA Construction and Development (MTA C&D), and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)—completed the major excavation activities that laid the foundation for the station’s transformation. This work supported the full replacement of all existing staircases, the addition of four new staircases, and the installation of new cast-in-place footings and walls on the South Side for Stairs B2/B3. On the North Side, mechanical and electrical crews advanced the installation of new conduits to support upgraded systems that will serve the station long-term.

To facilitate the construction of Stairs B2/B3, the team safely excavated approximately 18 feet between two active tracks using vacuum excavation and compact machinery to navigate the tight workspace while passenger service continued above.

One of the most impressive accomplishments of this phase was the installation of Tunnel #3, a new precast pedestrian passage beneath the active tracks. This highly technical operation required a truly herculean effort and was executed during a carefully choreographed weekend General Order. Over the course of a single outage window, the team removed the existing tracks, excavated the tunnel footprint, installed four massive precast culvert sections, and backfilled and restored the track bed—all in time to safely reopen the railroad for Monday morning service. This achievement demonstrated extraordinary coordination, precision, and commitment to minimizing impacts on riders.

With this foundational work complete, the project has progressed into major station upgrades. Recently, the team installed all new precast platform panels and completed the new structural canopy at the North Platform—milestones that bring the station closer to its modernized final state.

Looking ahead, the team will continue with the installation of the South Platform canopy and extensive electrical and communication system upgrades. Work is also advancing on the new utility building, which will house essential systems including electrical switchgear, ASIMS snow-melt equipment, and critical communications infrastructure.

Throughout all stages of construction, maintaining passenger access has remained a top priority, with four-car platforms remaining in service throughout the duration of work. The ongoing progress at Hollis Station highlights the strong collaboration between Forte Construction, AECOM, MTA C&D, and the LIRR—showcasing the dedication driving this transformative upgrade for the community.