Platform Will Also Be Built in Southampton in Time for U.S. Open
By Hank Russell
The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) has begun construction of a temporary platform on the southern side of the right of way at the Hampton Bays Station. The platform, which is fully within the LIRR property, is expected to be completed in time for the summer season. In addition, a temporary platform will be constructed at the Southampton station just in time for a national golf tournament, which will take place this June.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will be working with the Town of Southampton on this effort. Currently, the Hampton Bays LIRR station has a platform on the north side. An MTA spokesperson said the south side platform will also allow people to access the upcoming U.S. Open golf tournament, which will be held on June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton.
The temporary platform is an early first step toward expanded service for the South Fork Commuter Connection (SFCC), a regional initiative established in 2019 through the efforts of former Assemblyman Fred Thiele and state Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk). The SFCC aims to improve transportation options for East End commuters by coordinating enhanced bus and rail connections along the South Fork, providing a reliable alternative to traffic-congested routes, particularly during peak summer months.
“This temporary platform represents a tangible commitment by the MTA to improving transportation for our South Fork communities,” said Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni (D-Sag Harbor). “It is an important step in enhancing service for the South Fork Commuter Connection, and it shows that the LIRR is serious about investing in infrastructure that makes commuting safer, faster, and more reliable. We look forward to the benefits this platform will bring to our residents and visitors alike.”
Schiavoni said this temporary platform will provide much-needed operational flexibility on the Montauk Branch during the busy summer season and is expected to improve the rider experience. In addition, the MTA is planning construction on three critical bridges in Amagansett, Sagaponack, and Eastport this year, further demonstrating a commitment to modernizing transportation infrastructure along the South Fork.
Meanwhile, the United States Golf Association (USGA) is working with the MTA in building a temporary platform at the LIRR station at Southampton. Julia Pine, the USGA’s senior director of communications and content, began having conversations with the MTA and LIRR in the fall of 2024 regarding the golf tournament and the temporary platform. Pine said a temporary platform was constructed when the Open came to Southampton in 2018.
Pine said the platform should accommodate 12 train cars, compared to 10 train cars when the Open was here eight years ago.
“The USGA is working closely with the LIRR and MTA’s engineering and operations teams on the design features of the temporary train station to ensure it is to code, compatible with the train car spans, and functions as efficiently as possible to allow for uninterrupted service on the Montauk Line with the anticipated service schedule,” Pine said. “This temporary train station will be removed in the days after the conclusion of the championship.”
Pine said construction of the Southampton platform will be paid for by the USGA, but added the organization does not disclose budgets for specific projects. “We are extremely excited about partnering with LIRR to provide the train service to Shinnecock Hills,” she said. “It will prove to be the quickest, easiest and most efficient way to get to the U.S. Open.”