(The following article by Pete Donohue was posted on the New York Daily News website on February 7.)
NEW YORK — The Long Island Rail Road’s extension into Grand Central Terminal is close to getting a long-term funding commitment from the federal government, officials said yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Federal Transit Administration is recommending the MTA receive $300million for the so-called East Side Access project further down the track.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is seeking more than $2 billion in federal funds for the $7.7 billion project, according to federal reports.
Transit Administration officials said during a press conference in Washington that the MTA’s case for longtime federal support was bolstered by the voter referendum that authorized the state to sell bonds to generate $450 million for construction.
“That was a very successful contribution to advancing this project,” David Vozzolo, Transit Administration deputy associate administrator, said.
The MTA projects the extension will be completed in 2012 and will draw an average 163,000 riders a day. Supporters say it will speed the commutes of many who work on the East Side but have to travel by train to Penn Station and then double back by subway.
It’s also seen as necessary for the region’s economic vitality along with the Second Ave. subway. The Transit Administration said the latter project is on track for a full funding agreement with the feds, which provides significant funding to see that projects are completed.
The Second Ave. subway is also expected to share in a smaller pool of funds of about $100 million with a handful of other projects.
“This funding shows that the [Bush] administration and the Department of Transportation have renewed their commitment to seeing these critical New York projects through until they are built,” Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.
“Both East Side Access and the Second Ave. subway will meet commuter needs that have existed for far too long here in New York.
These funds will help Long Island and New York City improve transportation options and spur economic growth in the process,” Schumer said.
The MTA, which doesn’t put financing charges in its tabulations, says the LIRR extension will cost $6.3 billion.