VIPs test run the first #LIRR train into Grand Central

The Long Island Rail Road reached a milestone on Sunday by testing its almost complete East Side Access into the city.

Gov. Kathy Hochul went aboard a LIRR test train heading to Grand Central Terminal. The new 350,000-square-foot station is the largest train terminal to be built in the U.S. since the 1950s.

Officials are hoping the new train service will reduce crowding on commuter rails.

Today is a very special Sunday for @LIRR with the first test ride to its new Grand Central concourse.🎉

The East Side Access plan will make commutes much quicker for Long Islanders going to the east side of Manhattan — opening at the end of 2022! pic.twitter.com/iCmQQMgiYx

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 31, 2021

The new route and station will officially open in Dec. 2022.