Plans for a third track along a portion of the Long Island Rail Road are being derailed in Garden City.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it could miss its targeted December 2022 completion date of the third track project because the village has yet to issue permits needed for it.

Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council Chairman Gerard Bringmann says he has it on good authority that Garden City plans to file an appeal for the plan. If that happens, the LIRR will be forced to go to an appellate court to get an order to lift the stay.

"This work is scheduled to tentatively start on Tuesday...so unless the grinches of Garden City grow a heart over the weekend, that date is in severe jeopardy," Bringmann says.

The LIRR and the village have been arguing over the placement of several 90-foot utility poles that residents say are too close to their homes.

"...It's terrible for the community, I mean it's really out of character for Garden City they should of been on the other side, they should have been smaller," says Garden City resident Philip Acinapuro.

A judge previously said the village would benefit from the project.

Garden City officials and residents have said the railroad told them the utility poles would be erected on the north side of the tracks near Merillon Avenue in a largely industrial area.

The poles were put up on the south side, across the street from some homes.

The LIRR has said that there were no promises about where the poles would go. A court agreed with the ruling.

Village officials have not responded to requests for comment.