Yaphank-BNL Station Opens to Riders

New York State Sen. Dean Murray joined transportation officials, local elected leaders and community stakeholders Friday to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new Yaphank-BNL Long Island Rail Road station, calling the project a major investment in the future of eastern Suffolk County.

The new station replaces the original Yaphank stop with a modern, fully accessible facility strategically located to better serve Brookhaven National Laboratory, nearby businesses and commuters traveling along the Long Island Expressway and William Floyd Parkway.

“It was an honor to join so many community leaders in celebrating the opening of the new Yaphank LIRR Station,” Murray said. “This project has been years in the making, and it’s exciting to see it come to fruition. The new station will enhance transportation options for residents and help support the continued growth and vitality of our region. Congratulations to everyone whose hard work made this milestone possible.”

Murray joined MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber, Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano and representatives from Brookhaven National Laboratory for the ceremony marking the completion of the long-awaited transportation project.

According to the governor’s office, the Yaphank-BNL station is the first new LIRR station to open on Long Island since the Elmont-UBS Arena station debuted in 2021 and only the second new station built in the last 50 years.

The facility is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and includes ramps, a 50-car parking lot, a bus loop, bicycle racks, passenger information displays and emergency Help Point intercoms. Officials said the station is expected to strengthen regional transportation while improving access to Brookhaven National Laboratory, one of Long Island’s largest employers and research institutions.

The MTA also announced a study examining future improvements east of Ronkonkoma, including the possibility of additional track, upgraded signals and partial electrification to support more frequent and reliable service.

The Long Island Rail Road first began serving Yaphank in 1844 with the opening of service to Greenport. During World War II, the station played a vital role supporting nearby Camp Upton.

The new Yaphank-BNL station carries that legacy into the future, reflecting the community’s growing role as a center for science, industry and regional transportation.